Boundary layer properties of highly dissected leaves: an investigation using an electrochemical fluid tunnel

Abstract. A method for modelling heat and mass transfer by diffusion-controlled electrode reactions in a fluid tunnel is described. In this procedure, a nickelplated leaf functions as a test electrode, and the convective transfer of ions to the leaf cathode in an electrolyte-filled flow tunnel is measured as a function of flow rate. The method permits the simulation of water vapour and heat transfer, and in particular, the determination of boundary layer conductances, by analogy with observed ion transfer. The approach is applicable to many problems in modelling heat and mass transfer between leaves and their surroundings, and is especially useful in examining the properties of leaves in which surface characteristics or overall shape are complex. Using this method, the properties of the highly dissected leaves of Achillea lanulosa with regard to forced convection were investigated. The leaves showed high transfer conductances, indicating that the effective unit of heat transfer was probably the individual leaf subelements. Conductances tended to be greater and effective characteristic dimensions smaller for the larger, more open leaves of a lower altitude population in contrast with leaves from high altitude plants. While the results provide insight into the properties of these complex leaf shapes, difficulties in interpreting the findings are discussed, and a number of exploratory approaches are suggested for data analysis and interpretation.     

The effect of temperature on reproduction in three species of cyclopoid copepods

Megacyclops viridis (Jurine), Macrocyclops albidus (Jurine), and Acanthocyclops vernalis (Fischer) were raised in the laboratory at six temperatures (5, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 20°) and fed a mixture of ciliates (Paramecium caudatum and Colpidium campylum). Data were taken on clutch size, embryonic development time, interclutch period, time to first clutch, sex ratio and longevity.Clutch size, time to first clutch, embryonic development time, interclutch period and longevity are inversely related to temperature. The ratio of males to females in a cohort is independent of temperature.     

Genetic variation of liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis Schreb.) in Bavaria against the background of seed transfer guidelines in forestry and restoration

The liver leaf, Hepatica nobilis (Ranunculaceae), is a perennial forest understory herb with specific habitat requirements, which occurs on calcareous soils in beech and oak forests. In Bavaria it can be found, therefore, only in four geographic regions, which are Franconia, the Franconian-Swabian Jura, the prealpine transitions region and the prealpine moraine belt with the Alps. In German forestry, provenance delineations are used since 1987. Similarly for herbs seed provenances and production areas are applied in commercial seed production and restoration. In this study we analyzed whether the genetic variation of H. nobilis reflects the geographic distribution of the species in Bavaria or the provenance delineations used for seed production.We applied AFLPs to study genetic variation within and between 24 populations of H. nobilis.Our analysis revealed high levels of genetic variation within and moderate variation between populations. Variation between seed production areas and seed provenances was low and comparable to the variation between geographic regions. Genetic variation within populations or rare fragments did not differ between production areas, provenances or geographic regions. A significant positive relation of genetic and geographic distances was present within 100 km.Pollination and seed dispersal seem mainly to happen within populations of the myrmecochorous H. nobilis, whereas long-distance dispersal is presumably occasional and random. Our study supports the relevance of dispersal traits for seed collections used in conservation. The protection of historically old beech and oak forests is exceedingly important to preserve the genetic variation of H. nobilis in Bavaria.     

Temperature niche conservatism and strong genetic structure are involved in the trans-Panamanian colonization of Matudaea (Hamamelidaceae) to Andean forests

Matudaea is the only genus of the Hamamelidaceae found in South America. The genus is composed by two extant species, M. trinervia, from Mexico and Costa Rica, and Matudaea colombiana, from the Colombian Andes; additional fossil records are present in Central Europe. Population genetics, molecular phylogenetics and niche modelling approaches were applied to explain processes related with the trans-Panamanian M. trinervia/M. colombiana split and the putative colonization of the latter to the northern Andes. The split between the two Matudaea species was estimated during Middle Miocene. The colonization of Matudaea into South America could have been facilitated by the closure of the Isthmus of Panama and the global decreasing of temperature during Miocene. Five haplotypes of M. colombiana were identified, which show an eastwards decline of genetic diversity and suggest a founder effect in the colonization of Eastern cordillera of the Colombian Andes. We detected a niche conservatism signal between the two Matudaea species related with Temperature of Coldest Month and Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter bioclimatic variables; this signal might be related to the narrow altitudinal range occupied by the two species.     

WFS1 and non-syndromic low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss: A novel mutation in a Portuguese case

Low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFSNHL) is an unusual type of HL in which frequencies at 2000 Hz and below are predominantly affected. Most of the families with LFSNHL carry missense mutations in WFS1 gene, coding for wolframin.     

The interaction of temperature and fish size on growth of juvenile turbot

Growth rate of tagged juvenile turbot was significantly influenced by the interaction of temperature and fish size. The results suggest the optimum temperature for growth of juvenile turbot in the size range 25–75 g is between 16 and 19°C. Optimal temperature for growth decreased rapidly with increasing size, and is between 13 and 16°C for 100 g turbot. Although individual growth rates varied highly at all times within the temperature treatments, significant size rank correlations were maintained during the experimental period. The study confirms that turbot exhibit ontogenetic variation in temperature optimum, which might partly explain different spatial distribution of juvenile and adult turbot in ocean waters.     

Effect of externally added carnitine on the synthesis of acetylcholine in rat cerebral cortex cells

Acetylcholine synthesis from radiolabelled glucose was monitored in cerebral cortex cells isolated from brains of suckling and adult rats. Acetylcholine synthesis was found much higher in suckling animals, both in the absence and presence of acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) inhibitor, paraoxon. Together with choline (20 μM), carnitine was found to stimulate acetylcholine synthesis in a synergistic way in cortex cells from adult rats (18%). Choline, however, was incapable of reversing an inhibitory effect exerted by carnitine on acetylcholine synthesis in cortex cells from suckling animals. Distribution of carnitine derivatives was found significantly different in the cells from young and old animals, the content of acetylcarnitine decreased with age with a corresponding increase of free carnitine. The observed differences in carnitine effect on acetylcholine synthesis suggested that high acetylcarnitine in cells capable of β-oxidation might be correlated with the lower level of acetylcholine synthesis.     

Thiosulfinate Tolerance Is a Virulence Strategy of an Atypical Bacterial Pathogen of Onion

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A novel potent metal-binding NDM-1 inhibitor was identified by fragment virtual,SPR and NMR screening

NDM-1 can hydrolyze nearly all available β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. NDM-1 producing bacterial strains are worldwide threats. It is still very challenging to find a potent NDM-1 inhibitor for clinical use. In our study, we used a metal-binding pharmacophore (MBP) enriched virtual fragment library to screen NDM-1 hits. SPR screening helped to verify the MBP virtual hits and identified a new NDM-1 binder and weak inhibitor A1. A solution NMR study of ¹⁵N-labeled NDM-1 showed that A1 disturbed all three residues coordinating the second zinc ion (Zn2) in the active pocket of NDM-1. The perturbation only happened in the presence of zinc ion, indicating that A1 bound to Zn2. Based on the scaffold of A1, we designed and synthesized a series of NDM-1 inhibitors. Several compounds showed synergistic antibacterial activity with meropenem against NDM-1 producing K. pneumoniae.