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Selected AbstractsNew organochlorine contaminants and metabolites in plasma and eggs of glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Norwegian ArcticENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2005Jonathan Verreault Abstract The present study investigated new or lesser-studied and legacy organochlorine (OC) contaminants and metabolites in plasma and eggs of glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) collected from major breeding colonies on Bear Island in the Norwegian Arctic. Hexachlorobutadiene was below the method limit of detection (<0.07 ng/g lipid wt) in all samples. The sum (sum) of 20 chlorobornane congener concentrations ranged between 294 and 986 ng/g lipid weight and 104 and 1,121 ng/g lipid weight in plasma and eggs, respectively, whereas those of ,20polychlorinated naphthalene ranged between 1.34 and 126 ng/g lipid weight in plasma and 1.82 and 162 ng/g lipid weight in eggs. Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone concentrations ranged between 5.24 and 143 ng/g lipid weight plasma, which is the first report of this contaminant in arctic biota north of Sweden. Based on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs), partial dioxin-like toxicity varied between 3.04 and 20.8 ng TEQ/g lipid weight in plasma and 0.94 and 46.5 ng TEQ/g lipid weight in eggs, and largely was due to concentrations of non- ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), with a very minor contribution from mono- ortho PCBs and polychlorinated naphthalenes. The major aryl sulfone metabolite in plasma was an unidentified hexachlorinated MeSO2 -PCB congener (range: 13.5,551 ng/g lipid wt), whereas the pentachlorinated congeners 3,- and 4,-MeSO2 -CB101 (range: 4.49,38.1 ng/g lipid wt) dominated in eggs. The predominant halogenated phenolic compound (HPC) in plasma was consistently the PCB metabolite 4-OH-CB187 (range: 0.29,17.5 ng/g wet wt), whereas in eggs, detectable HPCs were at very low and transient concentrations. As part of a complex profile of contaminant exposure, these chemical classes and metabolites may be contributing factors to enhance physiological stress in breeding glaucous gulls. [source] Low algal carbon content and its effect on the C : P stoichiometry of periphytonFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2005PAUL C. FROST Summary 1. We examined the contribution of algal cells to periphytic organic carbon and assessed the effects of variable biomass composition on the carbon : phosphorus (C : P) ratio of periphyton. We compiled more than 5000 published and unpublished observations of periphytic carbon : chlorophyll a (C : Chl) ratios, an index of algal prevalence, from a variety of substrata collected from lake and low-salinity coastal habitats. In addition, we converted estimates of algal biovolume into algal C to obtain an independent measure of cellular algal carbon in periphyton. This information was used in a model relating periphyton C : P ratio to algal cellular carbon, the algal C : P ratio, and the C : P ratio of non-algal organic matter in periphyton. 2. The mean C : Chl ratio of periphyton (405) was relatively high with values in >25% of the samples exceeding 500. On average, 8.4% of total periphyton C was accounted for by C in algal cells. Only 15% of samples were found to have more than 15% periphyton C in cellular algal carbon. Our model showed a nonlinear relationship between periphytic C : P ratios and the C : P ratio of algal cells in the periphyton when non-algal organic matter was present. However, even at relatively low cellular algal C (<10% of total C), algal C : P ratios can strongly affect the C : P ratio of periphyton as a whole (i.e. algal cells plus other organic matter). 3. The high C : Chl ratios and the low biovolume-derived algal C of periphyton samples in our data set indicate that algal cells are typically a minor component of organic carbon in periphyton, However, this minor contribution would not preclude algal cellular stoichiometry from notably influencing periphyton C : P ratios. [source] Sympathetic control of short-term heart rate variability and its pharmacological modulationFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Jean-Luc Elghozi Abstract The static relationship between heart rate (HR) and the activity of either vagal or sympathetic nerves is roughly linear within the physiological range of HR variations. The dynamic control of HR by autonomic nerves is characterized by a fixed time delay between the onset of changes in nerve activity and the onset of changes in HR. This delay is much longer for sympathetically than for vagally mediated changes in HR. In addition, the kinetics of the HR responses shows the properties of a low-pass filter with short (vagal) and long (sympathetic) time constants. These differences might be secondary to differences in nervous conduction times, width of synaptic cleft, kinetics of receptor activation and post-receptor events. Because of the accentuated low-pass filter characteristics of the HR response to sympathetic modulation, sympathetic influences are almost restricted to the very-low-frequency component of HR variability, but the chronotropic effects of vagal stimulation usually predominate over those of sympathetic stimulation in this frequency band. Oscillations in cardiac sympathetic nerve activity are not involved in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (high-frequency component) and make a minor contribution to HR oscillations of approximately 10-s period (low-frequency component of approximately 0.1 Hz), at least in the supine position. In the latter case, HR oscillations are derived mainly from a baroreflex, vagally mediated response to blood pressure Mayer waves. Beta-blockers and centrally acting sympathoinhibitory drugs share the ability to improve the baroreflex control of HR, possibly through vagal facilitation, which might be beneficial in several cardiovascular diseases. [source] Provenance of sandstones from the Wakino Subgroup of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group, northern Kyushu, JapanISLAND ARC, Issue 1 2000Daniel K. Asiedu Abstract The Wakino Subgroup is a lower stratigraphic unit of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group. Previous studies on provenance of Wakino sediments have mainly concentrated on either petrography of major framework grains or bulk rock geochemistry of shales. This study addresses the provenance of the Wakino sandstones by integrating the petrographic, bulk rock geochemistry, and mineral chemistry approaches. The proportions of framework grains of the Wakino sandstones suggest derivation from either a single geologically heterogeneous source terrane or multiple source areas. Major source lithologies are granitic rocks and high-grade metamorphic rocks but notable amounts of detritus were also derived from felsic, intermediate and mafic volcanic rocks, older sedimentary rocks, and ophiolitic rocks. The heavy mineral assemblage include, in order of decreasing abundance: opaque minerals (ilmenite and magnetite with minor rutile), zircon, garnet, chromian spinel, aluminum silicate mineral (probably andalusite), rutile, epidote, tourmaline and pyroxene. Zircon morphology suggests its derivation from granitic rocks. Chemistry of chromian spinel indicates that the chromian spinel grains were derived from the ultramafic cumulate member of an ophiolite suite. Garnet and ilmenite chemistry suggests their derivation from metamorphic rocks of the epidote-amphibolite to upper amphibolite facies though other source rocks cannot be discounted entirely. Major and trace element data for the Wakino sediments suggest their derivation from igneous and/or metamorphic rocks of felsic composition. The major element compositions suggest that the type of tectonic environment was of an active continental margin. The trace element data indicate that the sediments were derived from crustal rocks with a minor contribution from mantle-derived rocks. The trace element data further suggest that recycled sedimentary rocks are not major contributors of detritus. It appears that the granitic and metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian Ryongnam Massif in South Korea were the major contributors of detritus to the Wakino basin. A minor but significant amount of detritus was derived from the basement rocks of the Akiyoshi and Sangun Terrane. The chromian spinel appears to have been derived from a missing terrane though the ultramafic rocks in the Ogcheon Belt cannot be discounted. [source] Influence of deoxynivalenol on the D -glucose transport across the isolated epithelium of different intestinal segments of laying hensJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5-6 2007W. A. Awad Summary Deoxynivalenol (DON) decreases glucose absorption in the proximal jejunum of laying hens in vitro and this effect is apparently mediated by the inhibition of the sodium d -glucose co-transporter. DON could modulate the sugar transport of other intestinal regions of chickens. For this purpose, we have measured the effects of DON on the Na+d -glucose co-transporter, by addition of DON after and before a glucose addition in the isolated epithelium from chicken duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon by using the Ussing chamber technique in the voltage clamp technique. The data showed in all segments of the gut that the addition of d -glucose on the mucosal side produced an increase in the current (Isc) compared with the basal values, the Isc after glucose addition to the small intestine was greater than the Isc of the large intestine compared with the basal values, specially of the jejunum (p < 0.002), indicating that the jejunum is the segment that is the best prepared for Na+ - d -glucose co-transport. Further addition of 10 ,g DON/ml to the mucosal solution decreased the Isc in all segments and the Isc returned to the basal value, especially in the duodenum and mid jejunum (p < 0.05). In contrast, the addition of 5 mmol d -glucose/l on the mucosal side after incubation of the tissues with DON in all segments had no effect on the Isc (p > 0.05), suggesting that DON previously inhibited the Na+d -glucose co-transport. The blocking effects of DON in duodenum and jejunum were greater than the other regions of the gut. It can be concluded that the small intestine of laying hens has the most relevant role in the carrier mediated glucose transport and the large intestine, having non-significant capacity to transport sugars, appears to offer a minor contribution to glucose transport because the surface area is small. The effect of d -glucose on the Isc was reversed by DON in all segments, especially in the duodenum and jejunum, suggesting that DON entirely inhibited Na+ - d -glucose co-transport. This finding indicates that the inhibition of Na+ co-transport system in all segments could be an important mode of action for DON toxicity of hens. Zusammenfassung Deoxynivalenol (DON) erniedrigt in vitro die Glukoseabsorption im proximalen Jejunum von Legehennen. Dieser Effekt ist vermutlich durch eine Hemmung des Natrium- d -Glukose-Cotransportsystems bedingt. DON könnte außerdem den Glukosetransport in anderen Segmenten des Darms beeinflußen. Zu diesem Zweck haben wir Wirkungen von DON auf das Natrium- d -Glukose-Cotransportsystem gemessen, indem wir DON nach und vor einer Glukosezugabe auf isolierte Darmepithelien des Duodenums, Jejunums, Ileums, Caecums und des Kolons mittels der Ussing-Kammer-Technik in der Volt-Klemmtechnik einwirken ließen. Die erzielten Daten wiesen in allen Segmenten des Darms verglichen mit den Basalwerten einen Anstieg im Strom (Isc) auf, wobei die Isc des Dünndarms bei Glukosegabe signifikant größer als die des Dickdarms waren, was darauf hinweist, dass das Jejunum am besten für den Glukosetransport geeignet war. Eine DON-Zugabe von 10 ,g/ml zur mukosalen Lösung schwächte den Isc in allen Segmenten, wobei die Isc speziell im Duodenum und mittleren Jejunum zum Ausgangswert zurück kehrten. Im Gegensatz dazu brachte die mukosale Glukosezugabe nach der DON-Inkubation keinen signifikanten Anstieg der Isc (p > 0,05), was auf eine durch DON hervorgerufene Blockade des Natrium- d -Glukose-Cotransportsystems schließen ließ. Es kann daraus geschlossen werden, dass der Dünndarm von Legehennen den bedeutendsten Einfluß im Glukosetransportmechanismus nimmt und der Dickdarm aufgrund einer kleineren Oberfläche einen geringeren Beitrag zum Glukosetransport leistet. Dem Isc steigernden Effekt der Glukose konnte signifikant durch DON in den Darmsegmenten besonders im Duodenum und im Jejunum entgegen gewirkt werden, was auf eine umfassende Hemmung des Natrium- d -Glukose-Cotransportsystems hinweist. Die Resultate weisen darauf hin, dass eine Hemmung des Natrium- d -Glukose-Cotransportsystems in allen Darmsegmenten eine wichtige Rolle in der DON-Toxizität für die Henne darstellen könnte. [source] Combined DFT, QCISD(T), and G2 mechanism investigation for the reactions of carbon monophosphide CP with unsaturated hydrocarbons allene CH2CCH2 and methylacetylene CH3CCHJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2007YAn-Li Zhao Abstract The possible reaction product distribution and mechanism of carbon monophosphide CP with unsaturated hydrocarbons allene CH2CCH2 and methylacetylene CH3CCH are investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), QCISD(T)/6-311++G(2df,2p), and G2 levels of theory. Corresponding reactants, products, intermediates, and interconversion and dissociation transition states are located on the reaction potential energy profiles. Computation results show that in the reaction of CP with CH2CCH2 the dominant reaction product should be species CH2CCHCP. Also, we can suggest species HCCCH2CP as a secondary reaction product despite of only minor contribution to reaction products. In the reaction of CP with CH3CCH, the primary and secondary products are suggested to be two important molecules HCCCP and CH3CCCP, respectively. The predicted mechanisms for the two reactions are not in parallel with the reactions of CN with allene CH2CCH2 and methylacetylene CH3CCH given in previous studies. The present calculations provide some useful information for future possible experimental isolation and observation for some interesting unsaturated carbon,phosphorus-bearing species. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007 [source] Temporal dynamics of genotypic diversity reveal strong clonal selection in the aphid Myzus persicaeJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006C. VORBURGER Abstract Parthenogenetic organisms often harbour substantial genotypic diversity. This diversity may be the result of recurrent formations of new clones, or it may be maintained by environmental heterogeneity acting on ecological differences among clones. In aphids, both processes may be important because obligate and cyclical parthenogens can form mixed populations. Using microsatellites, I analysed the temporal dynamics of clonal diversity in such a population of the aphid Myzus persicae over a 1-year period. The frequency distribution of clonal genotypes was very skewed, with many rare and few common clones. The relative frequencies of common clones underwent strong and rapid changes indicative of intense clonal selection. Differences in their host associations suggest that these shifts may partly be caused by changes in the abundance of annual host plants. Other selective factors of potential importance are also discussed. New, sexually produced genotypes made a minor contribution to clonal diversity, consistent with the observed heterozygote excess characteristic of predominantly asexual populations in M. persicae. [source] Gas-phase ion chemistry in the ternary SiH4,C3H6,PH3 systemJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 2 2002Stefania Calderan Abstract Propene,phosphine and the silane,propene,phosphine gaseous mixtures were studied by ion trap mass spectrometry. For the binary mixture the variation of ion abundances under different partial pressures and the mechanisms of ion,molecule reactions are reported. Moreover, the rate constants of the main processes were measured and compared with the collisional rate constants to determine the reaction efficiencies. In the ternary silane,propene,phosphine mixture the mechanisms of formation of ion clusters were elucidated, but the complexity of the system and the low abundances of the ions usually isolated by successive steps prevented the determination of rate constants. The hydrogenated ternary ions are mainly formed by reactions of ions with propene, whereas a minor contribution comes from reactions of ions with phosphine. The ions show very low reactivity with silane. The formation processes of these species are discussed in relation to their possible role as precursors of amorphous silicon carbides doped with phosphorus obtained by deposition from properly activated silane,propene,phosphine mixtures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Partition of metals in the Vistula River and in effluents from sewage treatment plants in the region of Cracow (Poland)LAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2000C. Guéguen Abstract The Vistula River suffers from heavy pollution with multiple origins. In the upper reaches, metallic and chlorine pollution originates from the mining and industrial region of Upper Silesia. Downstream from Upper Silesia, urban and industrial sewage adds more metallic and organic contaminants from the large urban agglomeration of Cracow. Although the river status is monitored routinely, little is known about the partition of metals between particulate and dissolved forms. This study focuses on metal partitioning and on the impact of the two main wastewater treatment plants at Cracow on metal concentrations in the Vistula River. The Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn content was measured in both dissolved and particulate fractions. High metal concentrations in the Vistula River persist, although current levels seem to be lower than those in the past. Metal concentrations in the Vistula River and effluents from the sewage treatment plants at Cracow are similar, indicating a relatively minor contribution from the treated sewage. However, untreated sewage may be a significant source of contaminants. Despite high anthropogenic metal concentrations, the metal partitioning coefficients (Kd) in the Vistula are similar to these found in unpolluted rivers. Within a narrow pH range, Kd values depend on the metal affinity to particles, but there is no evidence of dependence on particle or chloride concentrations. An important fraction of the toxic metals Pb and Cd is associated with particles, which may decrease their immediate availability to the biota of the river. [source] Tort, regulation and environmental liabilityLEGAL STUDIES, Issue 1 2002Maria Lee This paper considers certain proposals made by the European Commission on environmental liability, particularly in its White Paper on Environmental Liability. Civil liability has made a relatively minor contribution to environmental policy in recent decades, given its many well-known shortcomings when applied to environmental problems. Its usefulness, however, is being reassessed, given something of a consensus that traditional forms of regulation are reaching the limits of their effectiveness and that new approaches to environmental law are necessary. This paper will consider how the White Paper would move beyond the limitations of existing civil liability frameworks, in particular the fundamental incompatibility between the interests recognised in English tort law and the interests at stake in environmental protection. The Commission's recent retreat from the more ambitious elements of the White Paper may be a matter of concern. [source] Geology and geochemistry of shallow drill cores from the Bosumtwi impact structure, GhanaMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 8 2003Daniel Boamah The interior of the structure is largely filled by the 8 km diameter Lake Bosumtwi, and the crater rim and region in the environs of the crater is covered by tropical rainforest, making geological studies rather difficult and restricted to road cuts and streams. In early 1999, we undertook a shallow drilling program to the north of the crater rim to determine the extent of the ejecta blanket around the crater and to obtain subsurface core samples for mineralogical, petrological, and geochemical studies of ejecta of the Bosumtwi impact structure. A variety of impactite lithologies are present, consisting of impact glassrich suevite and several types of breccia: lithic breccia of single rock type, often grading into unbrecciated rock, with the rocks being shattered more or less in situ without much relative displacement (autochthonous?), and lithic polymict breccia that apparently do not contain any glassy material (allochtonous?). The suevite cores show that melt inclusions are present throughout the whole length of the cores in the form of vesicular glasses with no significant change of abundance with depth. Twenty samples from the 7 drill cores and 4 samples from recent road cuts in the structure were studied for their geochemical characteristics to accumulate a database for impact lithologies and their erosion products present at the Bosumtwi crater. Major and trace element analyses yielded compositions similar to those of the target rocks in the area (graywacke-phyllite, shale, and granite). Graywacke-phyllite and granite dikes seem to be important contributors to the compositions of the suevite and the road cut samples (fragmentary matrix), with a minor contribution of Pepiakese granite. The results also provide information about the thickness of the fallout suevite in the northern part of the Bosumtwi structure, which was determined to be ,15 m and to occupy an area of ,1.5 km2. Present suevite distribution is likely to be caused by differential erosion and does not reflect the initial areal extent of the continuous Bosumtwi ejecta deposits. Our studies allow a comparison with the extent of the suevite at the Ries, another well-preserved impact structure. [source] Estimating the spectral indices of correlated astrophysical foregrounds by a second-order statistical approachMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2006A. Bonaldi ABSTRACT We present the first tests of a new method, the correlated component analysis (CCA) based on second-order statistics, to estimate the mixing matrix, a key ingredient to separate astrophysical foregrounds superimposed to the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). In the present application, the mixing matrix is parametrized in terms of the spectral indices of Galactic synchrotron and thermal dust emissions, while the free,free spectral index is prescribed by basic physics, and is thus assumed to be known. We consider simulated observations of the microwave sky with angular resolution and white stationary noise at the nominal levels for the Planck satellite, and realistic foreground emissions, with a position-dependent synchrotron spectral index. We work with two sets of Planck frequency channels: the low-frequency set, from 30 to 143 GHz, complemented with the Haslam 408 MHz map, and the high-frequency set, from 217 to 545 GHz. The concentration of intense free,free emission on the Galactic plane introduces a steep dependence of the spectral index of the global Galactic emission with Galactic latitude, close to the Galactic equator. This feature makes difficult for the CCA to recover the synchrotron spectral index in this region, given the limited angular resolution of Planck, especially at low frequencies. A cut of a narrow strip around the Galactic equator (|b| < 3°), however, allows us to overcome this problem. We show that, once this strip is removed, the CCA allows an effective foreground subtraction, with residual uncertainties inducing a minor contribution to errors on the recovered CMB power spectrum. [source] Insecticidal activity of scorpion toxin (ButaIT) and snowdrop lectin (GNA) containing fusion proteins towards pest species of different ordersPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 1 2010Elaine C Fitches Abstract BACKGROUND: The toxicity of a fusion protein, ButalT/GNA, comprising a venom toxin (ButaIT) derived from the red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus (F.), and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), was evaluated under laboratory conditions against several pest insects. Insecticidal activity was compared with SFI1/GNA, a fusion comprising a venom toxin (SFI1) derived from the European spider Segestria florentina (Rossi) and GNA, which has been previously demonstrated to be effective against lepidopteran and hemipteran pests, and to GNA itself. RESULTS: Injection assays demonstrated that both fusion proteins were toxic to lepidopteran larvae, dipteran adults, coleopteran adults and larvae and dictyopteran nymphs. ButalT/GNA was more toxic than SFI1/GNA in all cases. GNA itself made a minor contribution to toxicity. Oral toxicity of ButalT/GNA towards lepidopteran pests was confirmed against neonate Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), where incorporation at 2% dietary protein resulted in 50% mortality and > 85% reduction in growth compared with controls. ButaIT/GNA was orally toxic to Musca domestica L. adults, causing 75% mortality at 1 mg mL,1 in aqueous diets and, at 2 mg g,1 it was orally toxic to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), causing 60% mortality and a 90% reduction in growth. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity of the ButaIT/GNA recombinant fusion protein towards a range of insect pests from different orders was demonstrated by injection bioassays. Feeding bioassays demonstrated the potential use of the ButaIT/GNA fusion protein as an orally active insecticide against lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran pests. These experiments provide further evidence that the development of fusion protein technology for the generation of new, biorational, anti-insect molecules holds significant promise. © Crown Copyright 2009. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Bacteriochlorophyll e Monomers, but Not Aggregates, Sensitize Singlet Oxygen: Implications for a Self-photoprotection Mechanism in Chlorosomes,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Juan B. Arellano ABSTRACT Sensitization of singlet delta oxygen (O2(1,g)) by bacteriochlorophyll e (BChle) has been investigated to gain a better understanding of the photoprotection mechanism(s) operating in chlorosomes of green photosynthetic bacteria. The sensitization process has been studied in media where BChle forms monomers (acetone and aqueous solutions containing 0.5% Triton X-100 [TX]) and in systems where BChle aggregates, namely, aqueous solutions containing 0.003% monogalactosyl diglyceride (MGDG) and chlorosomes (control as well as hexanol perturbed) from Chlorobium phaeobacteroides strain CL1401. In Ar-purged acetone, BChle triplets (BChle,) have a lifetime of a few tens of microseconds; however, in air-saturated acetone, quenching of BChle, by ground-state oxygen (O2(3,,g)) and formation of O2(1,g) take place. The O2(1,g) so formed is susceptible to quenching by BChle0, a ground-state BChle molecule. A Stern,Volmer analysis reveals a linear fit between the decay rate of O2(1,g) and the BChle concentration. The rate constants for the quenching of O2(1,g) by BChle0 and for the deactivation of O2(1,g) by the solvent come out to be kq= (1.4 ± 0.1) × 109 M,1 s,1 and k0= (18.5 ± 0.7) × 103 s,1, respectively. The absolute quantum yield of O2(1,g) sensitization by BChle monomers is 0.65 ± 0.15 in air-saturated acetone. In aqueous phase, the triplet lifetime of BChle aggregates in native or hexanol-perturbed chlorosomes shortens by more than two orders of magnitude when compared with the triplet lifetime of BChle monomers in 0.5% TX solution (a few hundreds of microseconds). Quenching by carotenoids (Car) makes only a minor contribution to the decay of BChle, in aggregates. Because O2(1,g) sensitization by BChle, could be detected neither in MGDG aggregates nor in chlorosomes (control as well as hexanol perturbed), it is concluded that (1) this process is highly likely when BChle is present as a monomer but not when it is tightly packed in artificial aggregates or in chlorosomes; and (2) Car, though vital for the baseplate BChla, are dispensable for BChle. [source] Structure and heme binding properties of Escherichia coli O157:H7 ChuXPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Michael D. L. Suits Abstract For many pathogenic microorganisms, iron acquisition from host heme sources stimulates growth, multiplication, ultimately enabling successful survival and colonization. In gram-negative Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella dysenteriae and Yersinia enterocolitica the genes encoded within the heme utilization operon enable the effective uptake and utilization of heme as an iron source. While the complement of proteins responsible for heme internalization has been determined in these organisms, the fate of heme once it has reached the cytoplasm has only recently begun to be resolved. Here we report the first crystal structure of ChuX, a member of the conserved heme utilization operon from pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 determined at 2.05 Å resolution. ChuX forms a dimer which remarkably given low sequence homology, displays a very similar fold to the monomer structure of ChuS and HemS, two other heme utilization proteins. Absorption spectral analysis of heme reconstituted ChuX demonstrates that ChuX binds heme in a 1:1 manner implying that each ChuX homodimer has the potential to coordinate two heme molecules in contrast to ChuS and HemS where only one heme molecule is bound. Resonance Raman spectroscopy indicates that the heme of ferric ChuX is composed of a mixture of coordination states: 5-coordinate and high-spin, 6-coordinate and low-spin, and 6-coordinate and high-spin. In contrast, the reduced ferrous form displays mainly a 5-coordinate and high-spin state with a minor contribution from a 6-coordinate and low-spin state. The ,Fe-CO and ,C-O frequencies of ChuX-bound CO fall on the correlation line expected for histidine-coordinated hemoproteins indicating that the fifth axial ligand of the ferrous heme is the imidazole ring of a histidine residue. Based on sequence and structural comparisons, we designed a number of site-directed mutations in ChuX to probe the heme binding sites and dimer interface. Spectral analysis of ChuX and mutants suggests involvement of H65 and H98 in heme coordination as mutations of both residues were required to abolish the formation of the hexacoordination state of heme-bound ChuX. [source] Sex differences in anthropoid mandibular canine lateral enamel formationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg Abstract Previous research has demonstrated that great ape and macaque males achieve large canine crown sizes primarily through extended canine growth periods. Recent work has suggested, however, that platyrrhine males may achieve larger canine sizes by accelerating rather than prolonging growth. This study tested the hypothesis that the ontogenetic pathway leading to canine sexual dimorphism in catarrhines differs from that of platyrrhines. To test this hypothesis, males and females of several catarrhine genera (Hylobates, Papio, Macaca, Cercopithecus, and Cercocebus) and three platyrrhine genera (Cebus, Ateles, and Callicebus) were compared in the number and spacing of perikymata (enamel growth increments) on their canine crowns. In addition, perikymata periodicities (the number of days of growth perikymata represent) were determined for five genera (Hylobates, Papio, Macaca, Cebus, and Ateles) using previously published as well as original data gathered for this study. The central findings are as follows: 1) males have more perikymata than females for seven of eight genera (in five of the seven, the differences are statistically significant); 2) in general, the greater the degree of sexual dimorphism, the greater the sex difference in male and female perikymata numbers; 3) there is no evidence of a systematic sex difference in primate periodicities; and 4) there is some evidence that sex differences in enamel formation rates may make a minor contribution to canine sexual dimorphism in Papio and Cercopithecus. These findings strongly suggest that in both catarrhines and platyrrhines prolongation of male canine growth is the primary mechanism by which canine crown sexual dimorphism is achieved. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cost estimate for biosynfuel production via biosyncrude gasificationBIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOREFINING, Issue 1 2009Edmund Henrich Abstract Production of synthetic fuels from lignocellulose like wood or straw involves complex technology. There-fore, a large BTL (biomass to liquid) plant for biosynfuel production is more economic than many small facilities. A reasonable BTL-plant capacity is ,1 Mt/a biosynfuel similar to the already existing commercial CTL and GTL (coal to liquid, gas to liquid) plants of SASOL and SHELL, corresponding to at least 10% of the capacity of a modern oil refinery. BTL-plant cost estimates are therefore based on reported experience with CTL and GTL plants. Direct supply of large BTL plants with low bulk density biomass by trucks is limited by high transport costs and intolerable local traffic density. Biomass densification by liquefaction in a fast pyrolysis process generates a compact bioslurry or biopaste, also denoted as biosyncrude as produced by the bioliq® process. The densified biosyncrude intermediate can now be cheaply transported from many local facilities in silo wagons by electric rail over long distances to a large and more economic central biosynfuel plant. In addition to the capital expenditure (capex) for the large and complex central biosynfuel plant, a comparable investment effort is required for the construction of several dozen regional pyrolysis plants with simpler technology. Investment costs estimated for fast pyrolysis plants reported in the literature have been complemented by own studies for plants with ca. 100 MWth biomass input. The breakdown of BTL synfuel manufacturing costs of ca. 1 , /kg in central EU shows that about half of the costs are caused by the biofeedstock, including transport. This helps to generate new income for farmers. The other half is caused by technical costs, which are about proportional to the total capital investment (TCI) for the pyrolysis and biosynfuel production plants. Labor is a minor contribution in the relatively large facilities. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source] In Vitro/in Vivo scaling of alprazolam metabolism by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in humansBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 2 2001Noriko Hirota Abstract We attempted to predict the in vivo metabolic clearance of alprazolam from in vitro metabolic studies using human liver microsomes and human CYP recombinants. Good correlations were observed between the intrinsic clearance (CLint) for 4-hydroxylation and CYP3A4 content and between the CLint for ,-hydroxylation and CYP3A5 content in ten human liver microsomal samples. Using the recombinant CYP isoforms expressed in insect cells, the CLint for CYP3A4 was about 2-fold higher than the CLint for CYP3A5 in the case of 4-hydroxylation. However, the CLint for CYP3A5 was about 3-fold higher than the CLint for CYP3A4 in the case of ,-hydroxylation. The metabolic rates for 4- and ,-hydroxylation increased as the added amount of cytochrome b5 increased, and their maximum values were 3- to 4-fold higher than those without cytochrome b5. The values of CLint, in vivo predicted from in vitro studies using human liver microsomes and CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 recombinants were within 2.5 times of the observed value calculated from literature data. The average CLint value (sum of 4- and ,-hydroxylation) obtained using three human liver microsomal samples was 4-fold higher than that obtained using three small intestinal microsomal samples from the same donors, indicating the minor contribution of intestinal metabolism to alprazolam disposition. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of alprazolam is reported to increase following co-administration of ketoconazole and the magnitude of the increase predicted from the in vitroKi values and reported pharmacokinetic parameters of ketoconazole was 2.30,2.45, which is close to the value observed in vivo (3.19). A quantitative prediction of the AUC increase by cimetidine was also successful (1.73,1.79 vs 1.58,1.64), considering the active transport of cimetidine into the liver. In conclusion, we have succeeded in carrying out an in vitro/in vivo scaling of alprazolam metabolism using human liver microsomes and human CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 recombinants. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Association study of 5,-UTR polymorphisms of the human dopamine transporter gene with manic depressionBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 5p1 2006Gerald Stöber Objectives:, To determine the degree of association of five single nucleotide polymorphisms at the 5,-untranslated region (5,-UTR) of the human dopamine transporter gene (hSLC6A3; hDAT1) in bipolar affective disorder. Methods:, In a case,control design study, the polymorphisms were genotyped for allelic and genotypic distribution between 105 index cases (50 males) with bipolar affective disorder according to DSM IV and 199 unaffected control subjects (120 males). Results:, At the 5,-UTR locus of hSLC6A3, no significant allelic or genotypic differences were observed between index cases and controls. However, distinct 5-locus genotypes accumulated in subjects with bipolar affective disorder compared to control subjects (p = 0.029, odds ratio 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.12,3.02). Conclusions:, In conclusion, our data do not provide evidence for a major role of the 5,-UTR of the dopamine transporter gene in bipolar affective disorder. A minor contribution of distinct genotypes may be possible and warrants replication in extended samples. [source] Biodiversity hotspots, centres of endemicity, and the conservation of coral reefsECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 6 2002Terry P. Hughes Abstract On land, biodiversity hotspots typically arise from concentrations of small-range endemics. For Indo-Pacific corals and reef fishes, however, centres of high species richness and centres of high endemicity are not concordant. Moreover ranges are not, on average, smaller inside the Central Indo-Pacific (CI-P) biodiversity hotspot. The disparity between richness and endemicity arises because corals and reef fishes have strongly skewed range distributions, with many species being very widespread. Consequently, the largest ranges overlap to generate peaks in species richness near the equator and the CI-P biodiversity hotspot, with only minor contributions from endemics. Furthermore, we find no relationship between the number of coral vs. fish endemics at locations throughout the Indo-Pacific, even though total richness of the two groups is strongly correlated. The spatial separation of centres of endemicity and biodiversity hotspots in these taxa calls for a two-pronged management strategy to address conservation needs. [source] Single-neuron evidence for a contribution of the dorsal pontine nuclei to both types of target-directed eye movements, saccades and smooth-pursuitEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2004Peter W. Dicke Abstract The primate dorsolateral pontine nucleus (DLPN) is a key link in a cerebro-cerebellar pathway for smooth pursuit eye movements, a pathway assumed to be anatomically segregated from tegmental circuits subserving saccades. However, the existence of afferents from several cerebrocortical and subcortical centres for saccades suggests that the DLPN and neighbouring parts of the dorsal pontine nuclei (DPN) might contribute to saccades as well. In order to test this hypothesis, we recorded from the DPN of two monkeys trained to perform smooth pursuit eye movements as well as visually and memory-guided saccades. Out of 281 neurons isolated from the DPN, 138 were responsive in oculomotor tasks. Forty-five were exclusively activated in saccade paradigms, 68 exclusively by smooth pursuit and 25 neurons showed responses in both. Pursuit-related responses reflected sensitivity to eye position, velocity or combinations of velocity and position with minor contributions of acceleration in many cases. When tested in the memory-guided saccades paradigm, 65 out of 70 neurons activated in saccade paradigms showed significant saccade-related bursts and 20 significant activity in the memory period. Our finding of saccade-related activity in the DPN in conjunction with the existence of strong anatomical input from saccade-related cerebrocortical areas suggests that the DPN serves as a precerebellar relay for both pursuit and saccade-related information originating from cerebral cortex, in addition to the classical tecto-tegmental circuitry for saccades. [source] Storage and Cultivar Effects on Shear Compression Values and Esterified Cell Wall Phenolics in CarrotsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2001T. Beveridge ABSTRACT: Phenolics esterified to cell walls in carrots were found to consist primarily of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with minor contributions from ferulic and vanillic acids and vanillin. These compounds could be indexed by standardized measurement of absorbance at 254 nm. As indexed, esterified cell wall phenolics varied widely between carrot cultivars and increased with carrot storage. These increases were not correlated with increased carrot toughness as determined by measurements in a shear compression cell. Carrot texture was unaffected by the levels of esterified cell wall phenolics present in the tissue. [source] Citation rates and perceptions of scientific contributionJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Dag W. Aksnes In this study scientists were asked about their own publication history and their citation counts. The study shows that the citation counts of the publications correspond reasonably well with the authors' own assessments of scientific contribution. Generally, citations proved to have the highest accuracy in identifying either major or minor contributions. Nevertheless, according to these judgments, citations are not a reliable indicator of scientific contribution at the level of the individual article. In the construction of relative citation indicators, the average citation rate of the subfield appears to be slightly more appropriate as a reference standard than the journal citation rate. The study confirms that review articles are cited more frequently than other publication types. Compared to the significance authors attach to these articles they appear to be considerably "overcited." However, there were only marginal differences in the citation rates between empirical, methods, and theoretical contributions. [source] Stable isotopic evidence for diet at the Imperial Roman coastal site of Velia (1st and 2nd Centuries AD) in Southern ItalyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Oliver E. Craig Abstract Here we report on a stable isotope palaeodietary study of a Imperial Roman population interred near the port of Velia in Southern Italy during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were performed on collagen extracted from 117 adult humans as well as a range of fauna to reconstruct individual dietary histories. For the majority of individuals, we found that stable isotope data were consistent with a diet high in cereals, with relatively modest contributions of meat and only minor contributions of marine fish. However, substantial isotopic variation was found within the population, indicating that diets were not uniform. We suggest that a number of individuals, mainly but not exclusively males, had greater access to marine resources, especially high trophic level fish. However, the observed dietary variation did not correlate with burial type, number of grave goods, nor age at death. Also, individuals buried at the necropolis at Velia ate much less fish overall compared with the contemporaneous population from the necropolis of Portus at Isola Sacra, located on the coast close to Rome. Marine and riverine transport and commerce dominated the economy of Portus, and its people were in a position to supplement their own stocks of fish with imported goods in transit to Rome, whereas at Velia marine exploitation existed side-by-side with land-based economic activities. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Forest Conversion and Degradation in Papua New Guinea 1972,2002BIOTROPICA, Issue 3 2009Phil L. Shearman ABSTRACT Quantifying forest change in the tropics is important because of the role these forests play in the conservation of biodiversity and the global carbon cycle. One of the world's largest remaining areas of tropical forest is located in Papua New Guinea. Here we show that change in its extent and condition has occurred to a greater extent than previously recorded. We assessed deforestation and forest degradation in Papua New Guinea by comparing a land-cover map from 1972 with a land-cover map created from nationwide high-resolution satellite imagery recorded since 2002. In 2002 there were 28,251,967 ha of tropical rain forest. Between 1972 and 2002, a net 15 percent of Papua New Guinea's tropical forests were cleared and 8.8 percent were degraded through logging. The drivers of forest change have been concentrated within the accessible forest estate where a net 36 percent were degraded or deforested through both forestry and nonforestry processes. Since 1972, 13 percent of upper montane forests have also been lost. We estimate that over the period 1990,2002, overall rates of change generally increased and varied between 0.8 and 1.8 percent/yr, while rates in commercially accessible forest have been far higher,having varied between 1.1 and 3.4 percent/yr. These rates are far higher than those reported by the FAO over the same period. We conclude that rapid and substantial forest change has occurred in Papua New Guinea, with the major drivers being logging in the lowland forests and subsistence agriculture throughout the country with comparatively minor contributions from forest fires, plantation establishment, and mining. RESUMEN Sopos long kisim gutpela save long senis i kamak long tropics em i wanpela bik pela samting long wanem, bikpela bus em wanpela hap we wok konsevason na carbon cycle bai inap kirapim gutpela wok. Insait long olgeta hap long world, PNG em wanpela hap we bikpela bus em i stap yet. Insait long dispela wok mipela soim olsem bikpela senis em i kamap long insait long bikpela bus na long hamas bikpela bus yumi gat. Nogat wanpela kain wok painimaut emi painim dispela senis bipo. Mipela lukluk gut long we olgeta bikpela bus i raus na we bus i kisim bagarap insait long, yia 1972 i kamap inap long yia 2002. Long yia 1972 mipela i usim map ol i kolim land cover map na long yia 2002 mipela lukluk long olgeta PNG high-resolution satellite imagery. Long yia 2002, 28,251,967 hectares bikpela bus i stap insait long Papua New Guinea. Long namel long 1972 igo inap long 2002, Papua New Guinea i lusim 15 percent long algeta bipela bus belong en. Insait long dispela 15 percent, 8.8 percent em i kamap bikos ol lain i katim diwai long salim. As bilong senisim bikela bus emi stap long ples we igat bikpela diwai long katim. Insait long dispela hap yumi lusim 36 percent, sampela we yumi inap long salim, tasol narapela emi bikos yumi rausim bus long wokim gaden or narapela kainkain pasin yumi wokim. Long 1972 i kamap inap long yia 2002, yumi lusim 13 percent long bikpela bus raonim ol bikpela maunten. Mipela painim olsem, long yia 1990 igo inap long yia 2002, long algeta kantri kain senis i wok long kamap bikpla. Senis istap insait long 0.8 igo inap long 1.8 percent long wan wan yia, tasol insait long wan wan liklik hap some pela i kisim bikpela senis, na ol narapela ino tumas. Long ol hap igat gutpela diwai long katim, senis i stat long 1.1 percent igo inap 3.4 percent. Dispela senis em i winim estimates we ol lain FAO i bin tokaut long em bipo. Long dispela wok painimaut, mipela iken tok olsem, as bilong dispela bikpela senis emi kamap long wanem ol i rausim na bagarapim bikpela bus. Dispela asua i kamap taim yumi rausim planti diwai tumas long salim na sampela taim yumi katim bus long wokim garden. Sampela taim bikpela paia tu i save kukim bikpela bus. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||