Light and nutrient availability affect the size-scaling of growth in phytoplankton

Communities of marine phytoplankton consist of cells of many different sizes. The size-structure of these communities often varies predictably with environmental conditions in aquatic systems. It has been hypothesized that physiological differences in nutrient and light requirements and acquisition efficiencies contribute to commonly observed correlations between phytoplankton community size structure and resource availability. Using physiological models we assess how light and nutrient availability can alter the relative growth rates of phytoplankton species of different cell sizes. Our models predict a change in the size dependence of growth rate depending on the severity of limitation by light and nutrient availability. Under conditions of growth-saturated resource supply, phytoplankton growth rate (mol C ) scales with cell volume with a size-scaling exponent of ; light limitation reduces the size-scaling exponent to approximately , and nutrient limitation decreases the exponent to as a consequence of the size-scaling of resource acquisition. Exponents intermediate between and occur under intermediate availability of light and nutrients and depend on the size-scaling of pigment photoacclimation and the size range examined.     

Intracellular anion fluorescence assay for sodium/iodide symporter substrates

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is primarily responsible for iodide accumulation in the thyroid gland for the synthesis of thyroid hormones; however, it can also transport other lyotropic anions in the thyroid gland and nonthyroid tissues. Some NIS substrates have important physiological or clinical roles, and others are environmental contaminants with health-related consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a yellow fluorescent protein variant, YFP–H148Q/I152L, as a biosensor to monitor the cellular uptake of NIS substrates, including thiocyanate (SCN⁻), nitrate (), chlorate (), perchlorate (), and perrhenate (). The fluorescence of purified YFP–H148Q/I152L was suppressed by anions with an order of potency of > = I⁻ = SCN⁻ = > ? Cl⁻. Anions also suppressed the fluorescence of YFP–H148Q/I152L expressed in FRTL-5, a thyroid cell line with high NIS expression. Quantitation of intracellular concentrations revealed differences among anions in the affinity and maximal velocity of NIS-mediated uptake as well as in the rate constant for passive efflux. These results suggest that YFP–H148Q/I152L can serve as an intracellular biosensor of NIS-transported anions and may be useful to study the physiology of endogenous anions as well as the health-related consequences of environmental anions.     

Novel structural variation of silver(I)-pyridine complexes in nitromethane as studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The XAFS spectra were measured at around the Ag K-edge of the Ag(I) ion in nitromethane (NM) with a variety of concentrations of pyridine (PY). In NM without PY, the Ag(I) ion is tetrahedrally solvated by four NM molecules similar to those in most solvents. The Ag-O bond length in NM solvent is longer than that in aqueous solution, indicating the low donating ability of NM. The mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis-pyridine complexes are formed in NM by the addition of PY. The EXAFS analyses reveal that the structure of the formed PY complex in NM is linear for Ag(py)(nm)⁺, linear for , triangular for , and tetrahedral for . The longer Ag-O bond length for Ag(py)(nm)⁺ than that for and the release of bound NM molecules at the formation of Ag(py)(nm)⁺ are interpreted to be due to the strong σ donating property of PY. The Ag-N bond length (220 pm) for is intermediate between 216 pm for and 228 pm for . The formation equilibria of and are analyzed on the basis of the changeover of EXAFS spectra as a function of the total concentrations of Ag⁺ and PY in NM.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of Ni-bisdithiolene complexes with decamethylmetallocenium cations

Three new compounds of formula (1), (2), and (3) have been synthesised, and structurally and magnetically characterised (dmit²⁻ = 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato; dmid²⁻ = 1,3-dithiol-2-one-4,5-dithiolato). Their structural features and magnetic behaviours are compared with those of and . The result of this is that the interactions between the Ni(dmit)₂ units in 1 are of ferromagnetic-type, as suggested previously for . The change from acetonitrile to acetone when going from to 2 results in stronger ferromagnetic intermolecular interactions. This better cooperativity is due to a significant increase of the number of contacts between the various moieties within the . On the contrary, the inclusion of larger solvents such as benzonitrile in this type of complexes results in a totally different structural arrangement, which leads to an antiferromagnetic behaviour for 3.     

From individual behaviour to population models: a case study using swimming algae

Trajectories of swimming algae are analysed, and two random-walk models developed to link the individual-level behaviour of cells to population-level advection-diffusion models for the spatial-temporal distribution of cells. The models are both of the advection-diffusion form but are based on two different sets of assumptions about the underlying random-walk behaviours, a velocity jump behaviour and a velocity diffusion behaviour. The mathematical models were developed to allow for an arbitrary (non-weak) bias in the random walk and a variable swimming speed in order to represent the experimental data. For the algal species considered, Heterosigma akashiwo, the mean upward swimming speed was computed as , and the calculated diffusion constants ranged from 2×10³ to depending on the details of the models. That two widely used modelling approaches yield substantially different population-level predictions when applied to the same empirical data suggests that better theoretical tools are needed for identifying adequate approximations for behavioural characteristics.     

A trade-off relationship between energetic cost and entropic cost for in vitro evolution

In this paper, we consider two complementary cost functions for the landscape exploring processes to obtain the global optimum sequence through in vitro evolution protocol: one is the entropic cost C_etp, which is based on the deviation from the uniformity of a mutant distribution in sequence space, and the other is the energetic cost C_eng, which is based on the total number of sequences to be generated and evaluated. Based on a prior knowledge about the structure of a given fitness landscapes, the conductor of the experiment can think up the efficient search algorithm (ESA), which requires the minimum number of points (=sequences) to be searched up to the global optimum. For five typical fitness landscapes, we considered their respective (putative) ESA, and based on the ESA. As a result, we found a trade-off relationship between and for every case, that is, is approximately equal to the logarithm of the volume of the sequence space. and are interpreted in terms of the information-theoretic concepts.     

Photocatalysis of chloroform degradation by μ-dichlorotetrachlorodipalladate(II)

Unlike other chlorometallate complexes that catalyze the photodecomposition of haloalkanes through photodissociation of a chlorine atom, both and catalyze chloroform decomposition through a process that appears to involve C-H bond breakage from an excited state association complex with chloroform. This would account for the greatly retarded rate of decomposition in CDCl₃ and for the generation of CCl₄ as a side product. In chloroform, and are in slow equilibrium with each other. The rate for the conversion of - in chloroform at 23 °C obeys the expression (0.03 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) [][Cl⁻]. The equilibrium constant, K = [][Cl⁻]²/[]², was estimated to be 3 × 10⁻³ M in CHCl₃.     

Jumping ability: A theoretical integrative approach

A theoretical integrative approach is proposed to understand the overall mechanical characteristics of lower extremities determining jumping ability. This approach considers that external force production during push-off is limited by mechanical constraints imposed by both movement dynamics and force generator properties, i.e. lower extremities characteristics. While the velocity of the body depends on the amount of external force produced over the push-off, the capabilities of force production decrease with increasing movement velocity, notably for force generators driven by muscular contraction, such as lower extremities of large animals during jumping from a resting position. Considering the circular interaction between these two mechanical constraints, and using simple mathematical and physical principles, the proposed approach leads to a mathematical expression of the maximal jump height an individual can reach as a function of only three integrative mechanical characteristics of his lower extremities: the maximal force they can produce (), the maximal velocity at which they can extend under muscles action () and the distance of force production determined by their usual extension range (h_PO). These three integrative variables positively influence maximal jump height. For instance in humans, a 10% variation in , or h_PO induces a change in jump height of about 10-15%, 6-11% and 4-8%, respectively. The proposed theoretical approach allowed to isolate the basic mechanical entities through which all physiological and morphological specificities influence jumping performance, and may be used to separate the very first macroscopic effects of these three mechanical characteristics on jumping performance variability.     

Mixed-valence porphyrin π-cation radical derivatives: Electrochemical investigations

The electrochemistry of [Cu(OEP)] and [Ni(OEP)] are compared with the mixed-valence π-cations and . These electrochemical studies, carried out with cyclic voltammetry and hydrodynamic voltammetry, show that the mixed valence π-cations have distinct electrochemical properties, although the differences between the [M(OEP)]^+/0 and processes are subtle.     

Alkyl dehydrogenation in iridium tri-cyclopentyl phosphines

The iridium cyclooctadiene complex incorporating a tricyclopentyl phosphine ligand (PCyp₃), Ir(η²:η²-C₈H₁₂)(PCyp₃)Cl, has been prepared. Removal of the chloride from this complex using in CH₂Cl₂/arene solvent results in dehydrogenation (C-H activation followed by β-H transfer) of one of the alkyl phosphine rings and formation of the complexes (X = H, F) which contain a hybrid phosphine-alkene ligand. These complexes are formed alongside another product (5-20% yield) that has been identified as , which can be prepared in high yield by an alternative, and slightly modified, route. This complex is with a minor isomer that has been tentatively identified as , which results from allylic C-H activation of cyclooctadiene. Addition of H₂ to and its isomer in arene solvent (C₆H₅X, X = F, H) forms the dihydrido η⁶-arene Ir(III) complexes . In contrast, hydrogenation in CH₂Cl₂ alone results in the formation of in which the anion is now acting as a ligand through one of its aryl rings. The fluorobenzene complex can be cleanly converted to by addition of the hydrogen acceptor tert-butylethene (tbe).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion

The oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion in 0.005 ? [HClO₄] ? 0.5 mol dm⁻³ is first order in and a fractional order in [oxalic acid], the reactive entities being AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions. The pseudo first-order rate, k_obs, with respect to [Au(III)], is retarded by increasing [H⁺] and [Cl⁻]. The retardation by H⁺ ion is caused by the dissociation equilibrium . A mechanism in which a substitution complex, is formed from AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions prior to its rate limiting disproportionation into products is suggested. The rate limiting constant, k, has been evaluated and its activation parameters are reported. The equilibrium constant K₁ for the formation of the substitution complex and its thermodynamic parameters are also reported.     

In situ spectroelectrochemical investigation of Pt(II/IV) oxidation in aqueous solution using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The oxidation from to in HCl aq. was studied in situ by combining electrochemistry with XAFS spectroscopy. During the oxidation of , isosbestic points were observed in Pt L_III and L_II XANES spectra as a function of time, indicating that the Pt(II/IV) redox equilibrium is the only reaction in the system. The Pt L_III and L_II X-ray absorption edge energies of the initial Pt^IICl₄²⁻ are 11562.9 and 13271.8 eV, respectively, while those of the electrolyzed species are 11564.6 and 13273.7 eV which are identical with those of a reference sample. The coordination of the electrolyzed species was characterized by structural parameters derived from the EXAFS curve fit, and identified to .     

NAD(P)H- and superoxide-dependent nitric oxide degradation by rat liver mitochondria

Mitochondria consume nitric oxide (NO) mainly through reaction with superoxide anion (). Here, we analyzed the sources for NO degradation by isolated rat liver mitochondria. Electron leakage from complex III and reverse electron transport to complex I accounted for -dependent NO degradation by mitochondria in the presence of a protonmotive force. Mitochondria incubated with NAD(P)H also presented intense generation and NO degradation rates that were insensitive to respiratory inhibitors and abolished after proteinase treatment. These results suggest that an outer membrane-localized NAD(P)H oxidase activity, in addition to the electron leakage from the respiratory chain, promotes -dependent NO degradation in rat liver mitochondria.     

Effect of magnesium chloride (2:1 electrolyte) on the aqueous solution behavior of some saccharides over the temperature range of 288.15-318.15 K: a volumetric approach

Infinite-dilution standard partial molar volumes, , for various mono-, di-, and trisaccharides, and their derivatives (methyl glycosides) at molalities ranging from 0.04 to 0.12 mol kg⁻¹ in aqueous solutions of magnesium chloride of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mol kg⁻¹, have been evaluated over a range of temperatures from 288.15 to 318.15 K by density measurements employing a vibrating-tube densimeter. These data have been utilized to determine the corresponding standard partial molar volumes of transfer, , of saccharides and methyl glycosides from water to aqueous magnesium chloride solutions. The values have been found to be positive, and their magnitudes increase with an increasing concentration of magnesium chloride in all cases. Partial molar expansion coefficients, and second derivatives thereof, have been estimated. The magnitude of values increases with an increase in temperature, indicating that hydration effects in solutions are strongly sensitive to temperature. Pair and higher order volumetric interaction coefficients (V_AB, V_ABB) have also been obtained from values by using the McMillan-Mayer theory. The various parameters have been discussed in terms of the solute (saccharide or methyl glycoside)-co-solute (magnesium chloride) interactions and are thus used to understand the mixing effects due to these interactions. These results have been compared with those earlier reported in the presence of electrolytes. An attempt is made to interpret the volumetric properties data in terms of the stereochemistry of the solutes.