The effect of environmental factors on the growth rate of Karenia brevis (Davis) G. Hansen and Moestrup

The red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (Davis) G. Hansen and Moestrup is noted for causing mass mortalities of marine organisms in the Gulf of Mexico. Most research has focused on culture isolates from the eastern Gulf of Mexico. In this investigation, we examine the effects of light, temperature and salinity on the growth rate of K. brevis from the western Gulf of Mexico. Growth rates of K. brevis were determined under various combinations of irradiance (19, 31, 52, 67, and 123 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), salinity (25, 30, 35, 40 and 45), and temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30 °C). Maximum growth rates varied from 0.17 to 0.36 div day⁻¹ with exponential growth rates increasing with increasing irradiance. Little or no growth was supported at 19 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ for any experiment. Maximum growth rates at 15 °C were much lower than at other temperatures. Maximum growth rates of the Texas clone (SP3) fell within the range of Florida clones reported in the literature (0.17–0.36 div day⁻¹ versus 0.2–1.0 div day⁻¹). The Texas clone SP3 had a very similar light saturation point compared to that of a Florida isolate (Wilson's clone) (67 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ versus 65 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and light compensation (20–30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹1). The upper and lower salinity tolerance of the Texas clone was similar than that of some Florida clones (45 versus 46 and 25 versus 22.5, respectively). In our study, the Texas clone had the same temperature tolerance reported for Florida clones (15–30 °C). While individual clones can vary considerably in maximum growth rates, our results indicate only minor differences exist between the Texas and Florida strains of K. brevis in their temperature and salinity tolerance for growth. While the literature notes lower salinity occurrences of K. brevis in nearby Louisiana, our isolate from the southern Texas coast has the higher salinity requirements typical of K. brevis in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.     

钙蛋白酶介导模拟失重大鼠心肌肌钙蛋白抑制亚基的降解

本文旨在观察尾部悬吊模拟失重大鼠心肌钙蛋白酶(calpain)与钙蛋白酶抑素(calpastatin)表达的变化,以探讨心肌肌钙蛋白抑制亚基(cardiac troponin I,cTnI)降解的可能机制。采用尾部悬吊模拟失重大鼠模型,Western blotting技术观测心肌calpain-1、calpain-2与calpastatin的表达;PD150606抑制calpain活性,分析cTnI降解程度的变化。结果显示:与同步对照组相比,悬吊2周与4周组大鼠心肌calpastatin表达呈显著性降低(P0.05),calpain-1表达未改变,calpain-2表达略有降低;但是,心肌calpain-1/calpastatin及calpain-2/calpastatin的比值在悬吊2周与4周组明显增高(P0.05,P0.01)。悬吊4周组cTnI降解显著高于对照组(P0.01);然而,用calpain非特异性抑制剂PD150606处理后,对照组及悬吊组cTnI的降解均被显著抑制(P0.01)。这些结果提示模拟失重大鼠心肌calpain活性增高可能增加cTnI的降解。     

Simulated microgravity‐induced epigenetic changes in human lymphocytes

Real space flight and modeled microgravity conditions result in changes in the expression of genes that control important cellular functions. However, the mechanisms for microgravity‐induced gene expression changes are not clear. The epigenetic changes of DNA methylation and chromatin histones modifications are known to regulate gene expression. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether simulated microgravity alters (a) the DNA methylation and histone acetylation, and (b) the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, and HDAC1 genes that regulate epigenetic events. To achieve these objectives, human T‐lymphocyte cells were grown in a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) that simulates microgravity, and in parallel under normal gravitational conditions as control. The microgravity‐induced DNA methylation changes were detected by methylation sensitive‐random amplified polymorphic DNA (MS‐RAPD) analysis of genomic DNA. The gene expression was measured by Quantitative Real‐time PCR. The expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b was found to be increased at 72 h, and decreased at 7 days in microgravity exposed cells. The MS‐RAPD analysis revealed that simulated microgravity exposure results in DNA hypomethylation and mutational changes. Gene expression analysis revealed microgravity exposure time‐dependent decreased expression of HDAC1. Decreased expression of HDAC1 should result in increased level of acetylated histone H3, however a decreased level of acetylated H3 was observed in microgravity condition, indicating thereby that other HDACs may be involved in regulation of H3 deacetylation. The findings of this study suggest that epigenetic events could be one of the mechanistic bases for microgravity‐induced gene expression changes and associated adverse health effects. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 123–129, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Algal biochar: effects and applications

Algae represent a promising target for the generation of bioenergy through slow pyrolysis, leading to the production of biochar. This study reports experiments conducted on the production of freshwater and saltwater macroalgal biochar in pilot‐scale quantities, the physical and chemical characteristics of the biochars, and their impact on plant growth. The biochars are low in carbon (C) content, surface area and cation exchange capacity, while being high in ash and nutrients. Trace element analysis demonstrates that macroalgal biochar produced from unpolluted water does not contain toxic trace elements in excess of levels mandated for unrestricted use as a biosolids amendment to soils. Pot trials conducted using a C and nutrient‐poor soil, without and with additional fertilizer, demonstrate dramatic increases between 15 and 32 times, respectively, in plant growth rate for biochar treatments compared with the no biochar controls, with additional smaller increases when fertilizer was added. Pot trials conducted using a relatively fertile agricultural soil showed smaller but significant impacts of biochar amendment over the controls.     

Use of Two Industrial Wastes as Soil Amendments: Effect on Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus in Runoff

To control the dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentration in a soil solution, a number of soil amendments were tested. In the current study, Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) and Water Treatment Residues (WTR) were tested on bare soil under two rainfall intensities and two soil roughness levels. The soil was fertilized with P (KH₂PO₄) at a rate of 400 kg ha^?1 while BFS and WTR were applied at a rate of 5 g per 100 g of soil. Two soil roughness levels were exposed to artificial rainfall intensities of 30 and 65 mm h^?1. Three rainfall events were performed on each treatment. The runoff water generated over an area of 0.5 m² with a slope of 8% was collected at different time intervals and analyzed for DRP, Al, Fe, and K concentrations. The results showed that, regardless of rainfall intensity and soil roughness, the concentration of DRP in the runoff water increased with increasing runoff time from the unamended plots. However, in the BFS- and WTR-amended soils, the DRP concentration decreased with runoff time. Dissolved reactive P and DRP loads were the lowest from the WTR-amended plots, followed by the control and the BFS treatment plots. Water treatment residues reduced the mean DRP concentration by 27.3% and the DRP load by 32% compared to unamended plots. The two rainfall intensities significantly affected the DRP concentration and load. Under the low rainfall intensity, the DRP concentration and load were higher compared to the high rainfall intensity. The overall DRP concentration was not affected by changes in soil roughness. However, the DRP loads were higher from the plots with low soil roughness levels, especially during the first and second runs. Both the BFS and WTR were also effective in reducing the DRP concentrations in the drain water collected during the runoff events. The concentrations of Al, Fe, and K in the runoff water were not affected by the soil amendments. However, the electrical conductivity and pH readings were higher from the BFS-amended plots.     

模拟低温或自然低温条件下牡竹属3种类抗寒性及生理指标的比较

以牡竹属(Dendrocalamus Nees)的清甜竹(D.sapidus Q.H.Dai et D.Y.Huang)、花吊丝竹[D.minor var.amoenus(Q.H.Dai et C.F.Huang) Hsueh et D.Z.Li]和勃氏甜龙竹[D.brandisii (Munro) Kurz]盆栽苗为实验材料,测定了模拟低温(0℃、-5℃、-10℃、-15℃、-20℃和-25℃)条件下3个竹种离体叶片的相对电导率和伤害率,在此基础上根据Logistic方程推算出3个竹种的低温半致死温度(LT50);对自然低温(15℃、10℃、5℃、3℃、0℃和-2 C)条件下3个竹种叶片的形态变化以及相对电导率、叶绿素和MDA含量及SOD活性的变化也进行了比较分析.结果表明:在模拟低温条件下,3个竹种离体叶片的相对电导率和伤害率均随温度降低逐渐增大,且总体上与对照(25℃)有显著差异(P＜0.05);根据Logistic方程推算出花吊丝竹、勃氏甜龙竹和清甜竹的LT50分别为-3.07℃、-1.83℃和-1.40 C.在日最低温度大于5℃的自然低温条件下3个竹种的叶片均能够正常生长,而随温度降低,叶片逐渐出现水浸斑点、失绿等症状直至干枯脱落,其中清甜竹叶片伤害症状最重;在自然低温条件下,随日最低气温的降低,3个竹种叶片的叶绿素含量总体呈下降趋势、相对电导率则逐渐升高、MDA含量和SOD活性总体上均呈波动的趋势;与日最低气温15℃相比,在日最低气温-2℃条件下清甜竹叶片叶绿素含量和SOD活性降幅最大而花吊丝竹降幅最小,清甜竹叶片相对电导率最高而花吊丝竹最低.根据LT50和叶片形态及生理指标的变化,可确定3个竹种的抗寒性均较差,其中清甜竹的耐寒能力最弱.     

The emergence of Cochlodinium along the California Coast (USA)

A sudden and nearly synchronous emergence of the red tide forming dinoflagellate Cochlodinium along more than 800 km of California coastline was initially observed in late summer 2004. Thereafter high cell concentrations have been detected on an annual basis. Here, we present quantitative and semi-quantitative data indicating that Cochlodinium was uncommon in the phytoplankton community in California prior to 2004 and is now persisting as a more regular component and one that seasonally can cause red tides. The quantitative portion of this study was primarily conducted in Monterey Bay, where cell densities reached at least 6 × 10⁴ cells L⁻¹ during the initial outbreak. A semi-quantitative comparison of California coastal counties by the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) was also made: of the 15 counties surveyed (most with multiple sites per county), cells were detected only from Los Angeles County in the south to San Mateo County in the central region (seven counties), but not in the northern part of the state (six counties). Two counties in the central region of the state, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz, displayed intense and frequent periods of elevated Cochlodinium cell abundances. Although not observed in the state-wide CDHS survey, we occasionally found cells in San Diego County with densities up to 2.7 × 10⁴ cells L⁻¹. Though these colonial dinoflagellates have been recognized in California for over 80 years, with several “blooms” recorded prior to 2004, the species’ geographic range and abundance in recent years suggest significant shifts in the nearshore phytoplankton community of this region of the eastern Pacific.     

The value of harmful algal bloom predictions to the nearshore commercial shellfish fishery in the Gulf of Maine

In this study, we develop a framework for measuring the value of harmful algal bloom (HAB) predictions. The framework captures the effects of both private and public responses to HABs. Using data from the New England nearshore commercial shellfish fishery and impact estimates for a large-scale HAB event in 2005, we illustrate how the potential value of HAB forecasts may be estimated. The results of our study suggest that the long-term value of a HAB prediction and tracking system for the Gulf of Maine is sensitive to the frequency of HAB events, the accuracy of predictions, the choice of HAB impact measures, and the effectiveness of public and private responses.     

Clonal Selection Based Memetic Algorithm for Job Shop Scheduling Problems

A clonal selection based memetic algorithm is proposed for solving job shop scheduling problems in this paper. In the proposed algorithm, the clonal selection and the local search mechanism are designed to enhance exploration and exploitation. In the clonal selection mechanism, clonal selection, hypermutation and receptor edit theories are presented to construct an evolutionary searching mechanism which is used for exploration. In the local search mechanism, a simulated annealing local search algorithm based on Nowicki and Smutnicki＇s neighborhood is presented to exploit local optima. The proposed algorithm is examined using some well-known benchmark problems. Numerical results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.