On the kinetics of phase separation in aqueous two-phase systems

The effect of the tie-line location (phase volume ratio) on the kinetics of phase separation in batch PEG/salt aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) has been investigated. PEG/sulphate systems with a stability ratio (sr) of 0.34 and 0.37 and relative tie-line lengths in the range 0.1 to 0.6 for a continuous top phase and in the range 0.03 to 0.15 for a continuous bottom phase were used in the batch studies. A continuous settler was designed with three different inlet geometries. Phase separation is much faster when the bottom phase is continuous and in this case the location on the tie-line and the presence or absence of Bacillus subtilis extract makes little difference. When the top phase is continuous the relative sizes of the phases (phase ratio, R, relative distance on tie-line, rd) has an important effect, the larger the top phase (larger R and rd) the slower the phase separation. The presence of Bacillus extract also makes the operation slower which is more marked at the largest values of R (and rd). At the largest volume ratios (R or rd) three different settling regions have been recognised, a region of coalescence, a region of drops moving to the interphase and a region where drops queue at the interphase to coalesce into the large phase. A modified correlation that takes into account the location on the tie-line and thus volume ratio (R) and relative distance (rd) has been proposed and successfully tested. The behavior of batch and continuous systems in the presence and absence of Bacillus subtilis extract in systems with continuous bottom phase was also studied. The settling velocity was lower in the continuous than in the batch systems, and in both cases the initial rate was lower in the presence of Bacillus extract.     

Continuous exposure to the deterrents cis‐jasmone and methyl jasmonate does not alter the behavioural responses of Frankliniella occidentalis

Behavioural responses of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a generalist, cell sap‐feeding insect species with piercing‐sucking mouthparts, after continuous exposure to two deterrent secondary plant compounds are investigated. We compared in choice assays on bean leaf discs, the settling, feeding, and oviposition preferences of F. occidentalis females that had no experience with the two fatty acid derivatives methyl jasmonate and cis‐jasmone before testing (naïve thrips) vs. females that had been exposed to the deterrent compounds before testing (experienced thrips). The thrips were exposed to the deterrents at low or high concentrations for varied time periods and subsequently tested on bean leaf discs treated with the respective deterrent at either a low or a high concentration. Frankliniella occidentalis females avoided settling on the deterrent‐treated bean leaf discs for an observation period of 6 h, independent of their previous experience. Our results demonstrate that feeding and oviposition deterrence of the jasmonates to the thrips were not altered by continuous exposure of the thrips to the jasmonates. Habituation was not induced, neither by exposure to the low concentration of the deterrents nor by exposure to the high concentration. These results indicate that the risk of habituation to two volatile deterrent compounds after repeated exposure is not evident in F. occidentalis. This makes the two compounds potential candidates to be integrated in pest management strategies.     

On the effect of temperature and pH on the settling behaviour of a flocculent strain ofZymomonas mobilis

Summary In this paper the effect of temperature and pH on the settling behaviour of a flocculent strain ofZymomonas mobilis is studied by using the old fashioned batch settling technique. Plots are given to show the influence of the above mentioned parameters on the settling curve behaviour.     

Rapid change in the settling behavior of the arrowhead scale Unaspis yanonensis as an avoidance mechanism against introduced parasitoids, Aphytis yanonensis and Coccobius fulvus

Abstract Parasitoids are thought to exert immense selection pressures that shape the traits of herbivores. We examined whether two species of parasitoid wasps, Aphytis yanonensis DeBach et Rosen and Coccobius fulvus Compere et Annecke (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), affect the settling behavior of the arrowhead scale Unaspis yanonensis Kuwana (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), in order to demonstrate the evolution of antiparasitism behavior of herbivores using parasitoids in the field. We used the following five methods: a comparison of parasitism risk in different settling behaviors‐parasitoid introduction into a parasitoid‐free population; a comparison of the settling behavior between parasitoid‐present and parasitoid‐free populations; a common garden experiment, in which scales were transferred from parasitoid‐present and parasitoid‐free populations into the same garden; and a laboratory observation of the settling behavior of the first instars derived from the two population categories. Both parasitoids were introduced into a parasitoid‐free population in Wakayama in 1987, and the settling mode of the scales was examined in 1987, 1994, and 1995. The introduction of parasitoids modified the scale‐settling mode so that more crawlers settled under another scale (called burrowing), which was consistent with the results observed in parasitoid‐present (including South China) and parasitoid‐free populations. Moreover, only the burrowing scale exhibited a lower parasitism rate compared to scales settling singly and being burrowed. The common garden experiment demonstrated that scales introduced from the parasitoid‐present population had a greater proportion of burrowers than the parasitoid‐free population, even in the same field cage under parasitoid‐free conditions. Laboratory observations demonstrated that the population difference in parasitism rate was principally due to intrinsic differences in the settling behavior of nymphs; some first‐instar nymphs derived from the parasitoid‐present population burrowed under another scale settled. These results strongly suggest that the natural selection pressure imposed by the parasitoids modified the settling behavior of the arrowhead scale.     

RHYTHMIC SETTLING BEHAVIOR IN PYRAMIMONAS PARKEAE (PRASINOPHYCEAE)1

Pyramimonas parkeae Norris et Pearson was examined for evidence of a settling rhythm while growing in laboratory culture. The alga settled rhythmically in a diet cycle when kept in a regularly alternating light-dark cycle. Cells moved out of suspension when settling and attached themselves to the sides and base of the culture vessel. Although rhythmic settling was inhibited in constant dim light (LL), it continued in constant darkness for 4 days with a period of approximately 24 h. The settling rhythm was temperature-compensated and could be reset by 6-h exposures to light. These observations demonstrate that the settling behavior of P. parkeae is controlled by an endogenous circadian oscillator. Regular low temperature pulses every 12 h removed the inhibition caused by LL and this points to the possible role of temperature changes as stimuli entraining the circadian settling rhythm of P. parkeae.     

In situ estimation of ephyrae liberated from polyps of Aurelia aurita using settling plates in Tokyo Bay, Japan

The continuous changes in the number of newly established polyps of Aurelia aurita (L.) on settling plates under natural conditions were observed from August 1998 to September 1999 in Tokyo Bay, Japan. A sharp decline in survivorship of newly settled polyps was observed within the first few days, however, survivorship of polyps settled in October increased by budding up to 399% after two months. The number of discs in each strobila varied from 1 to 6, however, most of the strobilae formed single discs. The percentage ratios of the total number of ephyrae to the initial number of polyps on settling plates were generally lower than 10%, but the highest ratio of 594.4% was estimated for the polyps settled in October. It is considered that most of the liberated ephyrae originate from the polyps settled in October in Tokyo Bay. This study suggests that the occurrence of ripe medusae with planula larvae throughout the year contributes to the success of settlement and growth of the polyp stage in Tokyo Bay.     

Species specificity in settling-plant selection by foundress ant queens in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macaranga</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crematogaster</Emphasis> myrmecophytism in a Bornean dipterocarp forest

Previous studies have demonstrated that the obligate myrmecophytism between Macaranga ant-plants and Crematogaster plant-ants is highly species specific, although multiple Macaranga species can coexist in a microhabitat. However, the species specificity has been described based on the study of trees with established plant-ant colonies. We studied how the process of settling into the partner Macaranga seedlings by single foundress Crematogaster queens contributes to species specificity. By sampling seedlings of three sympatric Macaranga myrmecophytes species in the field, we tested two hypotheses. The first is that foundresses correctly select their specific partner plant species when they settle into seedlings. The second hypothesis is that the seasons in which seedlings available for settling by foundresses appear are segregated among the Macaranga species, and the seasons in which foundress queens settle are synchronized to the appearance of seedlings of specific partner species; thus species specificity is consequently generated. Our results support the former hypothesis but not the latter: we always observed foundresses settling species-specific host plants, and seedlings suitable for settling were always available in each Macaranga species. Electronic Publication     

Settling-site selection and survival of two scale insects,Ceroplastes rubens andC. ceriferus,on citrus trees

We studied settling-site selection and the resulting survival of two sessile scale insects, Ceroplastes rubens and C. ceriferus, in the citrus tree, Citrus unshiu, in central Japan. C. rubens preferred 0-year-old twigs most as a settling-site; the density of nymphs settling on 0-year-old twigs was significantly higher than those on ≥1-year-old twigs, and few nymphs settled on ≥3-year-old twigs. The mean survival rates from settling until reproduction in the next year were significantly higher on more preferred twigs than on less preferred ones. In C. ceriferus, nymphs significantly preferred 1- and 2-year-old twigs to 0- and ≥3-year-old ones, and the mean survival rates on the more preferred 1- and 2-year-old twigs were significantly higher than those on less preferred ≥3-year-old twigs. However, the survival rate on less preferred 0-year-old twigs was slightly higher than those on 1- and 2-year-old ones. Thus, in both species of scale, it was the preferred twigs which were more profitable sites for survival after settling, except for less preferred 0-year-old twigs for C. ceriferus. In both scale species, most mortality was due to growth cessation, which is believed to be related to the twig quality as a food source. Predators and parasitoids were minor mortality factors. Both species showed constant survival rates until the density of settled nymphs exceeded double the “upper-limit” density, whereupon they decreased drastically. Nymphs of C. rubens settling on twigs of high scale density showed a spacing-out distribution, those of C. ceriferus did not. In C. rubens, an increase in preference for originally less profitable twigs at the later stage of the settling season was observed, but not in C. ceriferus. Accordingly, individuals of C. rubens showed a stronger tendency to avoid conspecifics than did C. ceriferus. Although nymphs of the two scales clearly preferred more profitable sites, their settling-site selection did not agree with the predictions from the ideal free distribution theory (Fretwell and Lucas, 1970). The discrepancies were (1) frequent settling on less profitable sites at the early stage of the settling season, (2) insufficient utilization of the most profitable twigs, and (3) virtually 100% mortality on overcrowded twigs under conditions where unoccupied profitable twigs still remained. These discrepancies are thought due to the limited dispersal time of nymphs.     

AN ANALYSIS OF VARIABILITY IN SEED SETTLING VELOCITIES OF SEVERAL WIND-DISPERSED ASTERACEAE

Dispersal is an important life history component. Seed settling velocity may be a useful surrogate for the measurement of dispersal ability in wind-dispersed plants, particularly those whose seeds have plumose dispersal structures. I measured settling velocities on seeds of eight species of Asteraceae, including annuals, biennials, and perennials, and including both native and introduced species. The species are Aster exilis, Picris echioides, Chrysopsis villosa, Heterotheca grandiflora, Conyza bonariensis, Sonchus oleraceous, Senecio vulgaris, and Taraxacum officinale. From these data I estimated components of total variation in seed settling velocities due to differences among species, among plants within species, and among inflorescences and seeds within plants. Significant amounts of variability were found at all levels. Contrasts among mean settling velocities showed that the five introduced species have lower settling velocities than the three native species; this result continues to be true when annuals are considered separately from biennials and perennials. Also, over all eight species, annuals have lower settling velocities than biennials and perennials. Variability among species apparently reflects different dispersal “strategies” employed by the species; these different strategies may be correlated with other life-history traits and with ecological characteristics. Variability within species also may have ecological consequences in that such variability may represent an example of risk-spreading.     

Variation in the Settling Velocity of Suspended Particulate Matter in Shallow Lakes,with Special Implications for Mass Balance Modelling

Measurements of sedimentation were combined with water samples to calculate settling velocity of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in lakes. The study sites were open water stations and enclosures in Lake Erken (Sweden) and Lake Balaton (Hungary). Settling velocities were found to vary considerably both inside and outside the enclosures. Within sites, the differences between 25th and 75th percentiles of measured settling velocities of SPM were two‐ or three‐fold. Median settling velocities of SPM ranged from around 0.5 m/d in the enclosures of Lake Erken to more than 8 m/d in the open water of Lake Balaton. Special relevance was attributed to flocculation, which is known to be affected by, e.g., SPM concentration and turbulence. Even though not directly measured, the less turbulent environment inside the enclosures was suggested to explain the low settling velocity compared to the open water environment. Settling velocity apparently correlated with water current speed (r² = 0.66; n = 12). Stepwise multiple linear regressions were used to relate the variability in settling velocity of SPM to the variability of possible controlling factors in a number of data subsets. In most cases, one variable describing the total amount of settling material (e.g., SPM) and one variable reflecting the composition of settling material (e.g., total phosphorus) were chosen. The use of suspended solids concentration to predict settling velocity in mass balance models was discussed. It was found that the mean slope between SPM and v_SPM was close to 0.1 (m⁴d^–1 g^–1). (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Observations on the settling of Simulium damnosum larvae on artificial substrates,in the Ivory Coast

The settling rates of the larvae of the blackfly Simulium damnosum Theobald, were monitored at a Simulium breeding site on the Bandama River in the Ivory Coast. Significantly greater numbers of larvae were found to settle during the night than during the day, and there was a significant increase in the settling rate immediately following the onset of darkness.The drifting larval population contained significantly greater numbers of smaller larvae than the general population.     

Rhythmic settling induced by temperature cycles in continuously-stirred autotrophic cultures of Euglena gracilis (Z strain)

Summary Temperature cycles which produced synchrony of cell division in autotrophic Euglena (preceding paper, Terry and Edmunds, 1970) usually also evoked a cellular settling rhythm. The rhythm was expressed as a recurrent cycle of cell attachment to culture-vessel surfaces, with nearly the same phase angle to each of the different temperature cycles. Attachment occurred in cultures stirred rapidly enough for thorough mixing of the cell suspension, but it was possible to prevent attachment by increased agitation. The settling rhythm was entrained by temperature cycles with periods shorter than the minimum period length required to phase cell division, but the rhythm also persisted with a circadian period at constant temperature in continuous light following entrainment by 12,12 hr temperature cycles. The rhythm appeared in stationary-phase cultures exposed to either cold-synchronizing or heat-synchronizing temperature cycles, and also in growth-phase cultures exposed to cold-synchronizing cycles. The settling rhythm was generally not observable in heat-synchronized growth-phase cultures although it often appeared in the same cultures as they approached the stationary phase.This work is derived from a dissertation submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences of the State University of New York at Stony Brook by OzTerry in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. It was supported in part by a National Science Foundation Cooperative Graduate Fellowship to 0. Terry and in part by National Science Foundation research grants GB-4140 and GB-6892 and by State University of New York Research Foundation Grant-in-Aid 31-7150A to L. Edmunds.     

Design and evaluation of a continuous semipartition bioreactor for in situ liquid‐liquid extractive fermentation

Extractive fermentation (or in situ product removal (ISPR)) is an operational method used to combat product inhibition in fermentations. To achieve ISPR, different separation techniques, modes of operation and physical reactor configurations have been proposed. However, the relative paucity of industrial application necessitates continued investigation into reactor systems. This article outlines a bioreactor designed to facilitate in situ product extraction and recovery, through adapting the reaction volume to include a settler and solvent extraction and recycle section. This semipartition bioreactor is proposed as a new mode of operation for continuous liquid‐liquid extractive fermentation. The design is demonstrated as a modified bench‐top fermentation vessel, initially analysed in terms of fluid dynamic studies, in a model two‐liquid phase system. A continuous abiotic simulation of lactic acid (LA) fermentation is then demonstrated. The results show that mixing in the main reaction vessel is unaffected by the inserted settling zone, and that the size of the settling tube effects the maximum volumetric removal rate. In these tests the largest settling tube gave a potential continuous volumetric removal rate of 7.63 ml/min; sufficiently large to allow for continuous product extraction even in a highly productive fermentation. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed reactor, an abiotic simulation of a LA fermentation was performed. LA was added to reactor continuously at a rate of 33ml/h, while continuous in situ extraction removed the LA using 15% trioctylamine in oleyl alcohol. The reactor showed stable LA concentration of 1 g/L, with the balance of the LA successfully extracted and recovered using back extraction. This study demonstrates a potentially useful physical configuration for continuous in situ extraction.     

Cell suspension culture of Rhizoma zedoariae in a two-stage perfusion bioreactor system for β-elemene production

We presented a two-stage combined bioreactor system consisting of a stir-tank and an airlift column, and challenged with Rhizoma zedoariae cell suspensions for β-elemene production. Two-stage culture was initiated when the cell concentration in both vessels was maintained at an appropriate density. The cells were proliferated in stirred-tank with the maximal growth rate of 0.17 d⁻¹ to present enough cells for β-elemene synthesis. In the airlift column, continuous cell separation from culture medium was achieved by using a cell retention device based on centrifugal and gravity settling when the system was performed in perfusion mode. The results indicated that additives can efficiently promote the accumulation of β-elemene in R. zedoariae cells. In addition, the β-elemene content showed higher levels in cell lines of overexpressing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase, Farnesyldi phosphate synthase, and ST02C genes.

     

贝类壳-体质量比和静水沉降特性的相关性

软体动物贝壳表型是适应性进化的结果,为探究贝壳形态特性与软体动物随水流扩散功能的相关性,实验选取9种具代表性的腹足纲和双壳纲贝类作为研究对象,研究了其成体的壳-体质量比与静水沉降特性及二者的相关性。结果表明：体质量的变异系数（C.V.=1.11）大于壳长（C.V.=0.67）、壳宽（C.V.=0.54）的变异系数;壳-体质量比具较强的种属特异性,种内变异系数小（C.V.=0.20）,而种间差异极显著（P < 0.01）。受试贝类的平均壳-体质量比为0.32±0.13,陆生贝类的壳-体质量比显著小于水生贝类（P < 0.01）,壳-体质量比最大的河蚬（0.54±0.06）是最小的非洲大蜗牛（0.17±0.04）的3倍,福寿螺的壳-体质量比为0.50±0.06。双壳类和螺类的沉降行为差异明显,只有中华园田螺、铜锈环棱螺和河蚬不能在静水中漂浮;沉降速度最大的河蚬（（24.99±4.22）cm/s）是最小的椭圆萝卜螺（（4.13±0.96）cm/s）的6倍,入侵种非洲大蜗牛（（18.30±3.64）cm/s）和福寿螺（（21.77±5.23）cm/s）与土著种铜锈环棱螺（（19.48±3.14）cm/s）和中华园田螺（（21.44±3.92）cm/s）在沉降速度上无显著差异（P < 0.01）。成体贝类的壳-体质量比与沉降速度（R²=0.28）、沉降加速度（R²=0.39）之间存在一定的相关性。在此基础上,贝类沉降特性随生活史变化的研究将进一步揭示贝类进化与种群扩散中的生态水力学作用。     

Induced resistance by Myzus persicae in the peach cultivar `Rubira'

The effect of a previous infestation by the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on the settling behaviour and reproduction of the same aphid species was investigated in the resistant peach cultivar Rubira, and compared with that observed in the susceptible control cultivar GF305. A previous infestation of 48 h triggered induced resistance in Rubira. There were significantly fewer aphids settling on preinfested than on uninfested plants, indicating an increased rejection of Rubira as a host plant. The level of induced resistance in preinfested plants was positively related to the duration of the first infestation. In GF305, previous infestation had no detrimental effect on aphid settlement and even slightly enhanced larviposition by adult females. The aphid probing behaviour after a 48-h preinfestation was also monitored for 8 h with the electrical peneration graph (EPG) technique. On preinfested GF305, most EPG parameters indicated an enhanced host plant acceptance. On preinfested GF305, aphids produced less sieve element salivation and more continuous sap ingestion than on uninfested GF305, indicating that the previous aphids provoked changes in plant properties beneficial to the test aphids. In Rubira, a major induced factor of resistance was thought to be expressed in the sieve element as phloem sap ingestion was 4-fold shorter on preinfested than on uninfested plants. The time taken by the aphid stylets to reach a sieve element was also significantly increased on preinfested Rubira, suggesting the induction of resistance factors outside the phloem. The originality of the Rubira/M. persicae interaction is discussed in the perspective of a better understanding of plant induced responses to aphids.     

Cost optimization of activated sludge systems

Activated sludge is a widely used aerobic biological waste-water treatment process. A rational approach to least cost design of an integrated system is described which includes the following processes: activated sludge reactor, final settling tanks, gravity thickening, and aerobic sludge digestion. Both capital and operation and maintenance costs are considered. Biological reactor design is based on microbial kinetic concepts and continuous culture of microorganisms theory. Biological solids retention time (θ_c) is utilized as the primary independent design variable to which system performance is related, e.g., effluent quality, ammonia oxidation, and excess sludge production. Liquid-biomass separation is based on the batch flux technique, a rational approach to design of gravity separators (final settling tanks). Trade-offs among reactor volume, clarifier size, recycle pumping capacity, thickener capacity, digester volume, air requirements, and sludge production are discussed. The optimum design is taken as the combination of these parameters within the acceptable design domain, determined by effluent quality criteria, that results in minimum cost. While the method described is general, design of a given treatment system depends on availability, from lab or pilot studies, of system specific numerical values for biological growth coefficients and biomass setting characteristics. A design example illustrates the approach.     

ROLE OF INORGANIC IONS IN CONTROLLING SEDIMENTATION RATE OF A MARINE CENTRIC DIATOM DITYLUM BRIGHTWELLI1,2

The settling rates and intracellular levels of K⁺, Na⁺, Cl^-, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were measured in Ditylum bright-welli (West) Grunow, grown axenically in an enriched seawater medium at 20 C at 4,000 lx on an 8:16 LD schedule. Cells at the end of the dark period have high Na⁺ (118 mM), low K⁺ (64 mM) and low Cl^- (117 mM) relative to levels at the end of the light period when K⁺ (126 mM) and Cl^- (154 mM) are high and Na⁺ (101 mM) is low. There is no significant change in Mg²⁺ (16–18 mM) or Ca²⁺ (3–4 mM) with time. The net result of the ion changes during the light period is to increase cell density by about 3.4 mg ml^-1. This change can account for the increase in settling rate of ca. 0.3 day^-1 during the same interval. The density of the cell contents, calculated from observed ion concentrations, is 15–18 mg.ml^-1 less than that of the seawater medium. The ion and settling rate changes are light-dependent and do not persist in the dark or under constant light (ca. 850 lx), but cells do exhibit a free-running circadian rhythm in cell division under continuous dim illumination. The cell vacuole expands during the light period and contracts during the dark, apparently in response to the net ion fluxes. D. brightwelli appears to regulate its density by active ion selectivity accompanied by trans-vacuolar water movement.     

Odour stimuli affecting autumn migration of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemipter: ornoptera)

R. padi gynoparae settling in the canopy of the winter host, Prunus padus, tended to form aggregations. Differences in the degree of exposure to wind, sun, etc., did not satisfactorily explain the aggregated pattern observed. In laboratory experiments, aphids did not distinguish between leaves taken from nearby aggregations and leaves taken far away from aggregations. The results of laboratory olfactometer tests and field trapping studies indicate that R. padi gynoparae produce an aggregation pheromone. Thus the aggregated settling pattern of gynoparae of R. padi can best be explained as a response to an aggregation pheromone.     

Krill diet affects faecal string settling

Summary Free-floating sediment traps used on a transect from Scotia Sea to Weddell Sea collected larger, more degraded, krill faecal strings in the deeper (150 m) than in the 50 or 75 m traps. The smallest faecal strings were only present in the shallower traps. Sinking velocity of smaller faecal strings was — as expected — much lower than for larger ones, with a total range of 50 to 800 m · day ^–1 for faecal string volumes of 0.007 to 0.53 mm³. Krill feeding largely on diatoms produced faeces with higher settling velocity than those feeding on non-diatom phytoplankton. Smaller krill faecal strings do not leave the upper mixed layer. Potential settling velocities as measured in settling tubes (without turbulence), may in this respect be misleading. Small oval faecal pellets of unknown origin showed relatively high settling velocities (80 to 250 m·day^–1 for 0.002 to 0.013 mm³) due to higher compaction and lower form resistance to sinking.Data presented here were collected during the European Polarstern Study (EPOS) sponsored by the European Science Foundation