Mechanical effects of ionic replacements in articular cartilage. Part II: Simulations of successive substitutions of NaCl and CaCl2

A three-phase multi-species electro-chemo-mechanical model of articular cartilage was developed in a companion paper, Loret and Simões (in Biomech Model Mechanobiol, in press, DOI 10.1007/s10237-004-0062-7). The model can handle mechanical and chemical loadings and unloadings involving the two salts, NaCl and CaCl₂. In order to reproduce experimental data, the shielding effects are made cation-dependent. In a tensile experiment, at constant axial strain, refreshment of the bath in contact with the cartilage is observed, and simulated, to induce a much different increase in tension depending on the order of the chemical sequence to which the cartilage is exposed. For example, the sequence dw (distilled water)–NaCl–dw–CaCl₂–dw results in a decrease in tension. But the initial tension is recovered if the chemical sequence is pursued by NaCl–dw. Therefore, ionic replacements are essentially reversible, as evidenced when the chemical loading events respect a certain symmetry. Distinct shielding effects by cations sodium and calcium stem from two main features: (1) different free enthalpies of formation that represent different affinities of the proteoglycans for these ions and that result in an equilibrium constant not equal to 1; (2) distinct valences but approximately the same diameter, which results in a more efficient shielding by cations calcium. The model accounts also: (1) for the anisotropy of the mechanical properties that are due to the strong orientation of collagen fibers; (2) for large deformations that occur during uniaxial traction with deionized water.     

An ionised/non-ionised dual porosity model of intervertebral disc tissue

The volume of the intrafibrillar water space – i.e. the water contained inside the collagen fibres – is a key parameter that is relevant to concepts of connective tissue structure and function. Confined compression and swelling experiments on annulus fibrosus samples are interpreted in terms of a dual porosity model that distinguishes between a non-ionised intrafibrillar porosity and an ionised extrafibrillar porosity. Both porosities intercommunicate and are saturated with a monovalent ionic solution, i.c. NaCl. The extrafibrillar fixed charge density of the samples is assessed using radiotracer techniques and the collagen content is evaluated by measurement of hydroxyproline concentration. The interpretation of the experimental data yields values for the intrafibrillar water content, the average activity coefficient of the ions, the Donnan osmotic coefficient, the fraction of intrafibrillar water, the stress-free deformation state, and an effective stress–strain relationship as a function of the radial position in the disc. A linear fit between the second Piola–Kirchhoff effective stress and Green–Lagrange strain yielded an effective stiffness: H_e=1.087 ± 0.657 MPa. The average fraction of intrafibrillar water was 1.16 g/g collagen. The results were sensitive to changes in the activity and osmotic coefficients and the fraction of intrafibrillar water. The fixed charge density increased with distance from the outer edge of the annulus, whereas the hydroxyproline decreased.The authors wish to thank Dr. Jill Urban for her advice concerning fixed charge density measurements, and Ing. Paul Willems for his assistance with the experiments. The research of Dr. J. M. Huyghe has been made possible through a fellowship of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.     

The distribution of water in arterial elastin: Effects of mechanical stress,osmotic pressure,and temperature

Using gravimetric and radiotracer techniques, we investigated the effects of mechanical stress, osmotic pressure, and temperature on the volumes of the intra- and extrafibrillar water spaces in arterial elastin. We also investigated the effects of temperature on water flow through elastin membranes and on dynamic mechanical properties of elastin rings. Compression by mechanical or osmotic loading reduced the hydration of the elastin in an identical manner. Two distinct stages were evident; at low loads there was extensive water removal from the extrafibrillar space while high loads were required to remove water from the intrafibrillar space. Conversely, dehydration caused by mechanical extension of the matrix was associated with a much smaller loss from the extrafibrillar compartment and a large fractional decrease in the intrafibrillar space. Contraction of the matrix as a result of increased temperature had similar effects on hydration to those produced by extension. Water flux across elastin membranes, corrected for changes in viscosity, and specific hydraulic conductivity both increased as a result of temperature-induced contraction. This effect was attributed to increases in both the fractional volume of the extrafibrillar space and the fiber radius. The elastic modulus decreased with increasing temperature, but there was an increase in viscoelasticity. Previous studies have determined that viscoelasticity depends on the rate of redistribution of intrafibrillar water, so this finding provides additional evidence that heating affects primarily the volume of the intrafibrillar space. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Extrafibrillar proteoglycans osmotically regulate the molecular packing of collagen in cartilage

The molecular packing density of collagen and hence the intrafibrillar water content appears to be regulated in cartilage by the osmotic pressure gradient existing between the extrafibrillar and the intrafibrillar compartments.     

The effect of osmotic and mechanical pressures on water partitioning in articular cartilage

X-ray diffraction measurements on native and proteoglycan-free articular cartilage have been made in order to test the dependence of the lateral packing of the collagen molecules on the osmotic pressure gradient, either naturally occurring or externally applied, between the intra- and extrafibrillar compartments. From the information on collagen packing we have been able to calculate, albeit with several assumptions, the amount of intrafibrillar water as a function of pressure. In parallel with the above measurements, we have quantitated, using serum albumin partitioning, the intrafibrillar water in proteoglycan-free cartilage, as a function of mechanically applied pressure. The results of both sets of experiments lead to the conclusion that the molecular packing density, and hence the intrafibrillar water content, are a function of the osmotic pressure difference between the extrafibrillar and intrafibrillar spaces or the equivalent mechanically applied pressure. The determination of intrafibrillar water has enabled us to calculate, from measured values of fixed charge density, the internal osmotic pressure of cartilage specimens, both in compressed and uncompressed states.     

MV-mimicking micelles loaded with PEG-serine-ACP nanoparticles to achieve biomimetic intra/extra fibrillar mineralization of collagen in vitro

Since their discovery, matrix vesicles (MVs) containing minerals have received considerable attention for their role in the mineralization of bone, dentin and calcified cartilage. Additionally, MVs' association with collagen fibrils, which serve as the scaffold for calcification in the organic matrix, has been repeatedly highlighted. The primary purpose of the present study was to establish a MVs–mimicking model (PEG-S-ACP/micelle) in vitro for studying the exact mechanism of MVs-mediated extra/intra fibrillar mineralization of collagen in vivo. In this study, high-concentration serine was used to stabilize the amorphous calcium phosphate (S-ACP), which was subsequently mixed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form PEG-S-ACP nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were loaded in the polysorbate 80 micelle through a micelle self-assembly process in an aqueous environment. This MVs–mimicking model is referred to as the PEG-S-ACP/micelle model. By adjusting the pH and surface tension of the PEG-S-ACP/micelle, two forms of minerals (crystalline mineral nodules and ACP nanoparticles) were released to achieve the extrafibrillar and intrafibrillar mineralization, respectively. This in vitro mineralization process reproduced the mineral nodules mediating in vivo extrafibrillar mineralization and provided key insights into a possible mechanism of biomineralization by which in vivo intrafibrillar mineralization could be induced by ACP nanoparticles released from MVs. Also, the PEG-S-ACP/micelle model provides a promising methodology to prepare mineralized collagen scaffolds for repairing bone defects in bone tissue engineering.     

Mechanical properties of mineralized collagen fibrils as influenced by demineralization

Dentin and bone derive their mechanical properties from a complex arrangement of collagen type-I fibrils reinforced with nanocrystalline apatite mineral in extra- and intrafibrillar compartments. While mechanical properties have been determined for the bulk of the mineralized tissue, information on the mechanics of the individual fibril is limited. Here, atomic force microscopy was used on individual collagen fibrils to study structural and mechanical changes during acid etching. The characteristic 67 nm periodicity of gap zones was not observed on the mineralized fibril, but became apparent and increasingly pronounced with continuous demineralization. AFM-nanoindentation showed a decrease in modulus from 1.5 GPa to 50 MPa during acid etching of individual collagen fibrils and revealed that the modulus profile followed the axial periodicity. The nanomechanical data, Raman spectroscopy and SAXS support the hypothesis that intrafibrillar mineral etches at a substantially slower rate than the extrafibrillar mineral. These findings are relevant for understanding the biomechanics and design principles of calcified tissues derived from collagen matrices.     

Does Seed Priming Induce Changes in the Levels of Some Endogenous Plant Hormones in Hexaploid Wheat Plants Under Salt Stress？

In order to assess whether salt tolerance could be Improved In spring wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）, the present study was performed by soaking the seeds of two cultlvars, namely MH-97 （salt sensitive） and Inqlab-91 （salt tolerant）, for 12 h In distilled water or 100 mol/m^3 CaCl2, KCI, or NaCI. Primed seeds from each treatment group and non-primed seeds were sown In a field In which NaCI salinity of 15 dS/m was developed. Priming of seeds with CaCl2, followed by priming with KCI and NaCI, was found to be effective In alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on both wheat cultivars In terms of shoot fresh and dry weights and grain yield. Priming with CaCl2 alleviated the adverse effects of salt stress on hormonal balance In plants of both cultlvars. In MH-97 plants, CaCl2 pretreatment considerably reduced leaf absclslc acid （ABA） concentrations and Increased leaf free salicylic acid （SA） concentrations under both saline and non-saline conditions. In contrast, In the Inqlab-91 plant, CaCl2 Increased free Indoleacetic acid （IAA） and indolebutyrlc acid （IBA） content. However, priming of seeds with CaCl2 did not alter free polyamlne levels in either cultlvar, although spermldlne levels were considerably lower In plants raised from seeds treated with CaCl2 for both cultlvars under saline conditions. Priming with KCI Increased growth In Inqlab-91 plants, but not In MH-97 plants, under saline conditions. The salinity Induced reducUon In auxins （IAA and IBA） was alleviated by NaCI priming In both cultlvars under saline conditions. However, NaCI Increased leaf free ABA content and lowered leaf SA and putresclne levels In Inqlab-91 plants under saline conditions. In conclusion, although all three priming agents （I.e. CaCl2, KCI, and NaCI） were effective In alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on wheat plants, their effects on altering the levels of different plant hormones were different In the two cuItlvars.     

Inducing salt tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) through seed priming with chloride salts: Growth and ion transport at early growth stages

The study was conducted to determine whether salt tolerance could be induced in maize at germination stage by soaking of seeds for 8 h in distilled water or in 200 meq·L⁻¹ of NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂·2H₂O. Both primed and un-primed seeds were subjected for 14 days to 0, 100 or 200 mol·m⁻³ NaCl under controlled conditions. Although all priming agents were effective in alleviating adverse effects of salt stress on maize at germination stage, CaCl₂·2H₂O proved to be more effective since the seeds primed with this salt had significantly higher final germination, rate of germination and fresh and dry weights of plumules and radicles than those treated with other salts or distilled water. Concentration of Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ increased significantly in all parts of germinating seeds of maize seeds primed with NaCl, KCl, or CaCl₂·2H₂O, respectively. In addition, seeds primed with CaCl₂·2H₂O were the highest in Cl⁻ accumulation in all parts of the germinating seeds, followed by seeds treated with NaCl and KCl. Most of the Ca²⁺ was retained in seeds and mesocotyl, because of which, transport of this ion to plumules and radicles was low.     

Interactive effects of Ca2+ and NaCl salinity on the growth of two tomato genotypes differing in Ca2+ use efficiency

Two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) lines differing in Ca²⁺ use efficiency (Ca²⁺ use efficient line 113 and Ca²⁺ use inefficient line 67) were subjected to salinity treatments in two separate experiments to determine whether they differed in salt tolerance. In experiment I, three NaCl and two CaCl₂ treatments were imposed. The Na⁺ concentrations were 1.1, 100 and 150 mM and the Ca²⁺ concentrations were either 1.51 or 10 mM. In experiment II, one NaCl and three Ca²⁺ treatments (as CaCl₂ or CaSO₄) were imposed. The treatments consisted of 150 mM NaCl at either 1.51 mM CaCl₂, 10 mM CaCl₂, or 10 mM CaSO₄. Response to treatments was determined by analysis of growth parameters (shoot and root dry weights, plant height, and root length). Shoot and root dry weight, and root length were depressed as salinity increased in plants lacking additional Ca²⁺. No significant differences in salt tolerance were detected between the two tomato lines after 24 d of salinity treatment. An important finding of this study was that root growth and length appeared to be more sensitive to the effect of CaCI₂ treatment alone and to the effects of CaCl₂ × NaCl treatments. This suggests that over the long term, both root growth and root length may be more sensitive indicators of salinity effects than shoots. Supplemental CaCl₂ had no ameliorative effect on NaCl stress in shoot growth. The inability of Ca²⁺ to counter Cl⁻ entry or toxicity may account for the lack of amelioration. Additional Ca²⁺ as CaSO₄ improved shoot growth of plants exposed to 150 mM NaCl. In contrast, root growth and length were improved by 10 mM Ca²⁺ as either CaCl₂ or CaSO₄.     

Annuario della Società Botanica Italiana 1932

A sandy culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous CaCl₂ on the indole alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus roseus under salt stress. One-month seedlings of C. roseus were treated with the different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, and 100 mmol l^? 1) and 7.5 mmol l^? 1 CaCl₂. The plant samples were analyzed after 7 days of the treatments. The NaCl-stressed plants showed decrease of fresh and dry weight and increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to control. Tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) activity increased significantly under 50 mmol l^? 1 NaCl without CaCl₂ addition, 50 mmol l^? 1 NaCl with 7.5 mmol l^? 1 CaCl₂, and CaCl₂ treatment without NaCl addition. There was a significant increase in peroxidase activity under NaCl stress compared to control. The vindoline, catharanthine, vincristine, and vinblastine contents increased under salt stress (especially with 50 mmol l^? 1 NaCl treatment with or without CaCl₂). Addition of CaCl₂ to NaCl-stressed plants increased biomass, TDC activity, vindoline, and catharanthine contents and lowered MDA and vincirstine contents compared to the plants without CaCl₂. The plants treated with CaCl₂ alone showed higher TDC activity, vindoline, catharanthine, and vinblastine content when compared to control. The results showed that exogenous CaCl₂ could promote the indole alkaloid metabolism under salt stress.     

Effect of NaCl and CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the antioxidant mechanism of leaves and stems of the rootstock CAB-6P (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus cerasus</Emphasis> L.) under in vitro conditions

The effect of salinity on the non-enzymic and enzymic antioxidant activity, shoot proliferation and nutrient accumulation was studied in in vitro cultures of the rootstock CAB-6P (Prunus cerasus L.). Three concentrations (0, 30 and 60 mM) of NaCl or CaCl₂ were added to a modified MS medium. Between the two salt treatments used, only the explants treated with CaCl₂ presented significant decrease in growth parameters. The concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in the explants treated with NaCl were increased, as NaCl in the culture medium increased. Furthermore, in the explants treated with CaCl₂ the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Cl⁻ were increased while that of K⁺ decreased, as CaCl₂ concentration increased. The activity of peroxidase in leaves as well as the number of its anionic isoforms was increased under 30 mM CaCl₂ as well as 60 mM NaCl or CaCl₂. On the contrary, increasing salinity, from 0 to 60 mM CaCl₂, resulted in a reduction of the catalase activity in leaves followed by disappearance of the only one catalase isoform that was detected in leaves (60 mM CaCl₂). In the stems of the explants treated with NaCl the peroxidase activity was reduced. In the stems and leaves of the explants grown in saline substrate the non-enzymic antioxidant activity was significantly increased. The results suggest that the stems and leaves of CAB-6P explants presented variable antioxidant responses that were depended on the salt form used. The contribution of enzymic and non-enzymic protection mechanisms to the adaptation of CAB-6P explants under salinity stress is discussed.     

A hyperelastic biphasic fibre-reinforced model of articular cartilage considering distributed collagen fibre orientations: continuum basis,computational aspects and applications

Cartilage is a multi-phase material composed of fluid and electrolytes (68–85% by wet weight), proteoglycans (5–10% by wet weight), chondrocytes, collagen fibres and other glycoproteins. The solid phase constitutes an isotropic proteoglycan gel and a fibre network of predominantly type II collagen, which provides tensile strength and mechanical stiffness. The same two components control diffusion of the fluid phase, e.g. as visualised by diffusion tensor MRI: (i) the proteoglycan gel (giving a baseline isotropic diffusivity) and (ii) the highly anisotropic collagenous fibre network. We propose a new constitutive model and finite element implementation that focus on the essential load-bearing morphology: an incompressible, poroelastic solid matrix reinforced by an inhomogeneous, dispersed fibre fabric, which is saturated with an incompressible fluid residing in strain-dependent pores of the collagen–proteoglycan solid matrix. The inhomogeneous, dispersed fibre fabric of the solid further influences the fluid permeability, as well as an intrafibrillar portion that cannot be ‘squeezed out’ from the tissue. Using representative numerical examples on the mechanical response of cartilage, we reproduce several features that have been demonstrated experimentally in the cartilage mechanics literature.     

外源CaCl2对NaCl胁迫下酸枣幼苗氮代谢的影响

为了研究CaCl₂对NaCl胁迫下酸枣幼苗根、茎、叶的氮代谢影响,探索钙缓解幼苗NaCl胁迫的作用途径。该研究以酸枣幼苗为试验材料,检测不同浓度CaCl₂(0、5、10、20 mmol/L)对NaCl(150 mmol/L)胁迫下幼苗叶片H₂O₂、O^-·₂含量,根、茎、叶中硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、谷氨酸合酶(GOGAT)活性及游离氨基酸、可溶性蛋白、硝态氮含量的影响,并采用主成分分析法筛选出评价CaCl₂缓解NaCl胁迫效应的生理指标。结果表明：与NaCl胁迫相比,盐胁迫幼苗叶片的H2O₂、O^-·₂积累量在5、10 mmol/L CaCl₂处理下显著减少;GOGAT活性在5、10 mmol/L CaCl₂处理下的植株根和茎内以及各浓度 CaCl₂处理的叶内均显著升高, GS、NR活性在10、20 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的根内和10 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的茎内以及5、10、20 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的叶内均显著升高;可溶性蛋白含量在5、10、20 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的根、茎、叶内均显著升高,游离氨基酸含量在10、20 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的根和茎内以及10 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的叶内均显著升高,硝态氮含量在10 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的根和茎内以及5、10、20 mmol/L CaCl₂处理的叶内均显著升高。研究发现,150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫对酸枣幼苗造成明显过氧化伤害,抑制了体内氮代谢;外源CaCl₂可通过促进幼苗根和茎内GS/GOGAT循环对NH₄⁺的同化作用,提高叶片NR活性,加快硝态氮的转化速率,从而增强幼苗对NaCl胁迫的适应性,并以10 mmol/L CaCl₂处理缓解效果最佳;游离氨基酸、GOGAT、NR可以作为CaCl₂缓解幼苗NaCl胁迫伤害的评价指标。     

Effect of the cations sodium,potassium and calcium on the interaction of hyaluronate chains: a light scattering and viscometric study

Light scattering and viscometric studies have been carried out on two preparations, A and B, of rooster comb hyaluronate. Sedimentation rate studies have also been performed with A. Light scattering measurements in 0.2 m KCl for preparation A gave a molecular weight of 3.3 × 10⁶ and for B, 1.0 × 10⁶. In (0.1–0.3) M NaCl similar measurements gave a particle weight for A of (4.4–6.4 × 10⁶ and for B (1.7–2.8 × 10⁶. In 0.066 m CaCl₂ molecular weight values of 9.5 × 10⁶ for A and 1.7 × 10⁶ for B were obtained. Thus in the presence of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions aggregates of chains persisted into dilute solution. Measurements by light scattering on A and B in 4 m guanidinium chloride gave values in the same range as those obtained in 0.2 m KCl. Sedimentation rate studies on A gave values of 10.3 Svedbergs in 0.2 m KCl and 12.2 Svedbergs in 0.2 m NaCl and 0.066m CaCl₂. The shear dependence of the viscosity was studied using a conicylindrical viscometer at shear rates between 0.5 and 20 s^?1. Preparation A in 0.2 m KCl and NaCl yielded values for (ν_sp/cc→0 of 5000 and 7100 ml g^?1 respectively in keeping with the tendency to aggregate. The behaviour for preparation B was similar. In 0.066 m CaCl₂ there was a marked dependence of viscosity on shear speed below 10 s^?1 for all concentrations and the value of (ν_sp/c)→0 at 0 s^?1 for preparation A was 7700 ml g^?1 while at a shear rate of 8 s^?1 (ν_sp/c)c→0 ? 5000 ml g ^?1. Similar effects were found for preparation B and the data suggest associations of chains disruptable by weak shear forces. The increase in viscosity with concentration in the presence of 0.066 m CaCl₂ was much less than in the presence of KCl or NaCl, suggesting that the Ca²⁺ had a marked effect on the ”rigidity’ of the molecules in solution. A viscometric titration experiment with Ca^2? showed that a level of 0.02 m CaCl₂ in 0.2 m NaCl was sufficient to produce the change in viscosity presented above and that significant perturbations of the viscosity were present at 0.005?0.01 m CaCl₂.     

Cytoplasmic streaming and ionic regulation inNitella flexilis having artificial cell saps of low ionic strength

The cell sap of the internode ofNitella flexilis was replaced with the isotonic artificial pond water of high Ca²⁺-concentration (0.1 mM KCl, 0.1 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl₂ and 275 mM mannitol) and changes in osmotic value and concentrations of K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ of the cells were followed. When the operated cells were incubated in the artificial pond water containing 0.1 mM each of KCl, NaCl, CaCl₂, they survived for only a short period of time (<10 hr). The cells did not absorb ions from the artificial pond water and showed a conspicuous decrease in the rate of cytoplasmic streaming. In such cell the concentration of K⁺ in the protoplasm decreased significantly. In order to reverse normal concentration gradients of K⁺ and Na⁺ across the protoplasmic layer, the cells of low vacuolar ionic concentrations were incubated in the artificial cell sap (90 mM KCl, 40 mM NaCl, 15 mM CaCl₂, 10 mM MgCl₂). It was found that the cells rapidly absorbed much K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ and survived for a longer period (1–2 days). During this period the rate of cytoplasmic streaming was nearly normal. Furthermore, the cell lost much mannitol, indicating an enormous increase in permeability to it. Since both absorption of ions and leakage of mannitol at 1 C occurred at nearly the same rates as at 22 C, the processes are assumed to be passive.     

Differential response of two almond rootstocks to chloride salt mixtures in the growing medium

It was examined how essential cations, Ca²⁺ and K⁺, can mitigate the toxic effects of NaCl on two different almond species (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) rootstocks, Garnem (GN15) and Bitter Almond. The tree growth parameters (water potential (Ψ_w), gas exchange, nutrient uptake) and leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content were measured in control and NaCl-treated plants with or without KCl or CaCl₂ supplements. The addition of CaCl₂ and KCl to Bitter Almond trees reduced their dry weight, shoot growth and leaf number although net photosynthetic assimilation rate (A) was not affected. These results indicated that changing of photo-assimilates flux to proline and/or soluble sugars synthesis may help to increase leaf Ψ_w. The Garnem trees also did not respond to the CaCl₂ and KCl addition indicating that the plants are already getting enough of these two cations (C^a2+ and K⁺). In both rootstocks, NaCl in the medium reduced growth attributes, Ψ_w, A, stomatal conductance (g_s), and leaf Chl content. When CaCl₂ and KCl fertilizers were added together with NaCl to Bitter Almond trees, leaf K⁺ and Ca²⁺ contents increased while Na⁺ and Cl^– decreased leading to higher Ca/Na and K/Na ratios, but shoot growth was not improved and even declined compared to NaCl-treated trees. It appears that the addition of salts further aggravated osmotic stress as indicated by the accumulation of proline and soluble sugars in leaf tissues. The addition of KCl or CaCl₂ to NaCl-treated GN15 trees did not increase A, leaf Ψ_w, and shoot growth but improved ionic balances as indicated by higher Ca/Na and K/Na ratios. The reduction in A was mainly due to non-stomatal limitations in GN15, possibly due to the degradation of Chl a, unlike Bitter Almond, for which the reduction of A was due to stomata closure. The improvement in ionic balances and water status of Bitter Almond trees in response to addition of KCl or CaCl₂ was apparently offset by a high sensitivity to Cl^–; therefore, no-chloride salts should be the preferred forms of fertilizers for this rootstock. Both rootstocks were sensitive to soil salinity and cation supplements were of limited value in mitigating the effect of excessive salt concentrations.     

ELECTROKINETICS : XVII. SURFACE CHARGE AND ION ANTAGONISM

1. The question of the critical pore diameter for streaming potential is discussed. 2. The surface charge is calculated for cellulose in contact with solutions of K₃PO₄, K₂CO₃, K₂SO₄, KCl, and ThCl₄. 3. The surface charge of cellulose in contact with a solution of 2 x 10^–4 N NaCl is calculated as a function of temperature and is found to show a sharp break at 39°. This is interpreted in terms of the change of the specific heat of water. 4. A marked ion antagonism is found in NaCl:KCl, KCl:MgCl₂, NaCl:MgCl₂, NaCl:CaCl₂, KCl:CaCl₂, CaCl₂:MgCl₂ mixtures when the surface charge is calculated as a function of concentration.     

Effects of cations on dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/water systems

X-ray diffraction studies have been made on the effects of cations upon the dipamitoyl phosphatidylcholine/water system, which originally consists of a lamellar phase with period of 64.5 Å and of excess water. Addition of 1 mM CaCl₂ destroys the lamellar structure and makes it swell into the excess water. the lamellar phase, however, reappears when the concentration of CaCl₂ increases: a partially disordered lamellar phase with the repeat distance of 150–200 Å comes out at the concentration of about 10 mM, the lamellar diffraction lines become sharp and the repeat distance decreases with increasing CaCl₂ concentration. A small amount of uranyl acetate destroys lamellar phase in pure water. MgCl₂ induces the lamellar phase of large repeat distance, whereas LiCl, NaCl, KCl, SrCl₂ and BaCl₂ exhibit practically no effect by themselves. Addition of cholesterol to the phosphatidylcholine bilayers tends to stabilize the lamellar phaseThe high-angle reflections indicate that molecular arrangements on phosphatidylcholine bilayers change at CaCl₂ concentrations around 0.5 M. The bilayers at high CaCl₂ concentration seem to consist of two phases of pure phosphatidylcholine and of equimolar mixture of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol.