Variation in the carbon content of two Asplanchna species

The rotifers of the genus Asplanchna were sampled four times during the summer from eight lakes of different types. The mean individual carbon content in the population varied between 0.15–0.66 µg C ind.^-1 (n = 21) for A. priodonta and 1.0–1.6 µg C ind.^-1 (n = 3) for A. herricki. The carbon content and the size of A. priodonta varied considerably between the populations of both different lakes and dates.The carbon level of both Asplanchna species (sample mean 0.2–1% of wet weight) was considerably lower than is generally found for rotifers. Much of the variation of carbon level could be explained by an inverse relationship with wet weight. The high variation in the carbon content of individuals suggests that Asplanch population may adapt their mean body size to fit prevailing environmental conditions.     

Affinity purification of bacterial luciferase and NAD(P)H:FMN oxidoreductases by FMN-sepharose for analytical applications

A modified purification method for bacterial luciferases and NAD(P)H:FMN oxidoreductases is described which uses FMN-Sepharose alone or coupled to DEAE ion exchange chromatography for the simultaneous purification of luciferase and the various oxidoreductases from Vibrio harveyi, a bright mutant of Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio fischeri, and Photobacterium phosphoreum. This purification method is compared with DEAE-Sepharose CI 6B fractionations from these organisms. Both methods allow the separation of oxidoreductases specific for either NADH or NADPH. The use of FMN-Sepharose coupled to DEAE-Sepharose fractionation allows the isolation of highly purified enzymes. Lacking interfering factors, these are very suitable for various analytical applications based on bacterial bioluminescence enzymes. The partially purified enzymes from the affinity column have higher specific activities than those obtained using DEAE-Sepharose.     

Effect of nitrogen and sucrose on the primary and secondary metabolism of transformed root cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus

Abatract The effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on two well-established hairy root clones, LBA1S and C58A, of Hyoscyamus muticus strain Cairo, were investigated. Both clones exhibited completely different patterns with regards to their growth rate, hyoscyamine accumulation, and fatty acid contents. Clone C58A grew faster and yielded more biomass (17.4 g l^-1, in 21 days), but produced less hyoscyamine. The maximum hyoscyamine content (120 mg l^-1) in clone LBA1S was reached in 28 days. Neither of the clones could use lactose or fructose as the sole carbon source, nor ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. The growth in the medium containing glucose was significantly reduced compared to that containing sucrose. Clone LBA1S was sensitive to the changes in sucrose concentration and an increase in ammonium in the culture medium, whereas C58A tolerated these changes better but was more sensitive to the increase in total nitrogen. Lipid synthesis was active in the exponential growth phase, and the total fatty acid content varied from 5 to 34 mg g^-1 of dry root material. The major fatty acids were linoleic, palmitic and linolenic. There were considerable differences in the total amount of lipids and in their relative ratios when different nutrients were applied.Abbreviations DW dry weight - FA fatty acids - FFA free fatty acids - FW fresh weight     

Carbon uptake in Eurasian boreal forests dominates the high-latitude net ecosystem carbon budget

Arctic-boreal landscapes are experiencing profound warming, along with changes in ecosystem moisture status and disturbance from fire. This region is of global importance in terms of carbon feedbacks to climate, yet the sign (sink or source) and magnitude of the Arctic-boreal carbon budget within recent years remains highly uncertain. Here, we provide new estimates of recent (2003–2015) vegetation gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R_eco), net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE; R_eco − GPP), and terrestrial methane (CH₄) emissions for the Arctic-boreal zone using a satellite data-driven process-model for northern ecosystems (TCFM-Arctic), calibrated and evaluated using measurements from >60 tower eddy covariance (EC) sites. We used TCFM-Arctic to obtain daily 1-km² flux estimates and annual carbon budgets for the pan-Arctic-boreal region. Across the domain, the model indicated an overall average NEE sink of −850 Tg CO₂-C year⁻¹. Eurasian boreal zones, especially those in Siberia, contributed to a majority of the net sink. In contrast, the tundra biome was relatively carbon neutral (ranging from small sink to source). Regional CH₄ emissions from tundra and boreal wetlands (not accounting for aquatic CH₄) were estimated at 35 Tg CH₄-C year⁻¹. Accounting for additional emissions from open water aquatic bodies and from fire, using available estimates from the literature, reduced the total regional NEE sink by 21% and shifted many far northern tundra landscapes, and some boreal forests, to a net carbon source. This assessment, based on in situ observations and models, improves our understanding of the high-latitude carbon status and also indicates a continued need for integrated site-to-regional assessments to monitor the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change.     

Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgA during training

Mero, Antti, Heidi Miikkulainen, Jarmo Riski, RaimoPakkanen, Jouni Aalto, and Timo Takala. Effects of bovinecolostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgAduring training. J. Appl. Physiol.83(4): 1144-1151, 1997.The purpose of this study was to examinethe effects of bovine colostrum supplementation (Bioenervi) on seruminsulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), immunoglobulin G, hormone, andamino acid and saliva immunoglobulin A concentrations during a strengthand speed training period. Nine male sprinters and jumpersunderwent three randomized experimental training treatments of 8 daysseparated by 13 days. The only difference in the treatments was thedrink of 125 ml consumed per day. Posttraining increases were noticedfor serum IGF-I in the 25-ml Bioenervi treatment (125 ml contained 25 ml Bioenervi) and especially in the 125-ml Bioenervi treatment (125 mlcontained 125 ml Bioenervi) compared with the placebo (normal milkwhey) treatment (P < 0.05). The change in IGF-I concentration during the 8-day periods correlated positively with the change in insulin concentration during the sameperiods with 25-ml Bioenervi treatment(r = 0.68;P = 0.045) and with 125-ml Bioenervitreatment (r = 0.69;P = 0.038). Serum immunoglobulin G,hormone, and amino acid and saliva immunoglobulin A responses weresimilar during the three treatments. It appears that a bovine colostrumsupplement (Bioenervi) may increase serum IGF-I concentration inathletes during strength and speed training.

     

The structures of garcinones a,b and c: Three new xanthones from Garcinia mangostana

Three new tetraoxygenated xanthones (garcinones A, B and C), each disubstituted with C₅-units, have been isolated from the chloroform extract of the fruit-hulls of Garcinia mangostana. Their structures were established by a combination of spectral interpretation and chemical correlation.     

Spectrophotometric titrations of micellar Schiff''s bases prepared from pyridoxal 5′-phosphate

Electron absorption and equilibrium of the Schiffs bases prepared between pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and dodecylamine (DODA) or some other shorter chain amines have been studied in nonionic and cationic micellar solutions with various pH of the bulk solution. In the presence of the nonionic (Triton X-100) micelles the Schiffs bases formed between PLP and DODA were embedded into the micelles because the absorption occured at 335 nm, indicative of the nonpolar milieu. This absorption was constant at pH 5–10. At pH 3–5, the tautomeric form absorbing at 415 nm appeared. This resembles the titration of glycogen phosphorylate or that of Schiffs bases in methanol. Short chain amines absorbed at 415 nm, which is typical of Schiffs bases in aqueous solutions. Tryptophan also absorbed first at 415 nm but the absorption changed to 325 nm with a half-time of ～20 min. This was interpreted as being due to formation of the cyclic structure catalysed by micelles. The pH-dependent equilibrium constant of the reaction between PLP and DODA in Triton X-100 solution had a maximum at pH9, the value being 3500 M^?1, about ten times greater than the value of ethylamine at the same pH. Spectral properties of PLP-DODA imines in the cationic micelles (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) resembled those in the nonionic micelles, except that at low pH the absorption peak in the 415 nm region did not appear. The equilibrium constant of PLP-DODA had maximum at pH 9, the value being as high as 118000 M^?1. Different properties of nonionic and cationic micelles and the design of micellar model systems of PLP enzymes are discussed.     

User−Producer Interaction in Housing Energy Innovations

Von Hippel and colleagues have highlighted the crucial role of users in innovation in different industries and types of products. They describe the innovation process in terms of the distinct domains of knowledge that producers and users possess. Producers have knowledge about technical solutions and users about their needs, the context of use, and their own capabilities as users. Both sets of knowledge are characterized by "stickiness": They move relatively freely within their own domain but are difficult to transfer outside of it.
In the case of radical innovations for sustainable consumption, the problem of "sticky information" is compounded. Both producers and consumers need to reach out of their conventional competencies and search for new solutions. "Societal actors," such as government bodies or environmental experts, can show the way to such solutions, but this new knowledge needs to be integrated with the "sticky" knowledge about everyday practices in production and consumption.
In the present article we attempt to conceptualize the role and interaction of user and producer knowledge with the knowledge of environmental experts in housing energy innovations. We do so by applying the user−producer interaction framework to a case study on the introduction of low-energy housing concepts in Finland. On the basis of this analysis, we draw conclusions on the potential and limitations of today's practices in the field. For example, we suggest that user involvement can help to enhance the acceptance of low-energy solutions but that the methods for involving users need to be adapted to the particular circumstances in each industry.