Plant transpiration and net entropy exchange on the Earth’s surface in a Czech watershed

The influence of plant transpiration on the entropy exchange was quantified as associated with the degradation of solar energy on the Earth’s surface covered by plants. Two surfaces were studied: (1) productive surface — plant transpiration taken as equal to the potential one, (2) non-productive surface — plant transpiration taken as equal to zero. The entropy exchanges associated with the absorption of solar radiation and with the conversion of absorbed solar radiation into the sensible heat and latent heat were taken into account. These processes were examined in the experimental watershed Liz (828–1074 m a.s.l.) located in the Bohemian Forest (Czech Republic). We found that in the growing season 1992 the net entropy exchange in humid hydrologic period (the Earth’s surface is productive) was considerably higher than in the arid one (the Earth’s surface was productive in 39% of days, and non-productive in 61% of days). Considering that the biotic effect on the Earth’s functioning can be measured with the help of the net entropy exchange, we can assume that the theory that biotic activities — represented by plant transpiration here — are the cause of the self-organizing processes in Earth’s environment is proved in the watershed scale. Presented at the International Conference on Bioclimatology and Natural Hazards, Poľana nad Detvou, Slovakia, 17–20 September 2007.     

Copper and Zinc in the Serum,Urine, and Hair of Patients with Wilson’s Disease Treated with Penicillamine and Zinc

The purpose of this study was to determine the different levels of copper and zinc in the serum, urine, and scalp hair of patients with Wilson’s disease receiving different, currently accepted methods of treatment to reduce the copper load (penicillamine—group 1, n = 8; zinc—group 2, n = 8; penicillamine+zinc—group 3, n = 8). Blood, urine, and hair samples were collected from the patients. All three treatments resulted in a significant decrease of the serum copper levels. Significantly increased levels of zinc in the serum were detected in the patients in groups 2 and 3 (19.1 and 18.8 μmol/l, respectively; p < 0.05). Copper excretion in the urine significantly increased during its administration to groups 1 and 3 (11.5 and 7.94 μmol/24 h respectively; p < 0.001) due to the effect of penicillamine. The administration of zinc as monotherapy (group 2) or in combination with penicillamine (group 3) led to an increase of its excretion (25.3 and 22.4 μmol/24 h, respectively; p < 0.01). Only an insignificant rise of the copper content in the hair was found in all three groups of patients. The content of zinc in the hair did not differ significantly in any of the groups in comparison with the control group.     

Overwintering populations of Mesodinium rubrum (Ciliophora: Haptorida) in lakes of the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica

 The autotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum Lohmann was observed during winter and spring in saline lakes ranging in salinity from 2 to 78‰ in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica. The ciliate remained active during winter, and contained chlorophyll even though the level of light available for photosynthesis was minimal. No evidence of encystment as a means of survival during winter was observed. A seasonal study in one of the lakes, Ace Lake, revealed that M. rubrum was present throughout the year at abundances ranging from 1×10⁴ to 3.5×10⁵ cells l^-1. During the winter period, when little light penetrated the lake’s ice cover, cells were most common immediately under the ice at 2 m, where cell numbers were typically 8×10⁴ cells l^-1. Received: 3 January 1996/Accepted: 21 April 1996     

A reexamination of Gilligan’s analysis of the female moral system

Gilligan’s (1982) refinement of Kohlberg’s theory on moral development operates on two theses: (1) females, more so than males, reach moral decisions based on the personalities of the relevant individuals; and (2) female behaviors stemming from moral decisions are based upon “care” and “responsibility for others.” This article accepts the first thesis but argues that the second is incorrect. That is, self-interest—i.e., aiding “blood” kin and/or carefully monitoring reciprocity—rather than “altruism” is argued to be the operant dynamic in forging distaff morality and resultant behavior. Six empirical examples are presented as contraindicative of Gilligan’s second thesis. Finally, it is suggested that selection for the psychological traits of independence and the mastery of subtle social chess yielded ancestral females who had more descendants—us—than did females with alternative profiles. Nancy S. Coney is a professor at Western Illinois University and is interested in both clinical and nonclinical aspects of women’s psychology. Wade C. Mackey is interested in biocultural anthropology and has authored two books on fathering:Fathering Behaviors (Plenum, 1995) andThe American Father (Plenum, 1996).     

Traffic accidents and environmental physical activity

Environmental physical activity (EPA) is considered as one of main regulators of human homeostasis. Evidence is growing that components of this activity through the “human factor” (i.e., changing human physiological and psychological status) can affect the dynamics of traffic accidents (TA)—the modern life epidemic. This paper presents results of studies conducted in order to reveal the potential influence of EPA [solar (SA), geomagnetic (GMA) and cosmic ray (CRA) activities] on the number of TA and related casualties in the years of the maximum and declining phase of SA cycle 23 (2000–2005). We selected the 7,160 most severe TA and their related 7,558 deaths and 1,647 severe injuries, registered in the Grand Baku Area (Azerbaijan, middle latitudes), for analysis. A significant increase of TA and victims was observed during the whole year and also during the last months of the year. The monthly numbers of TA and victims were inversely related to SA (probability p = 0.0002), and non-significantly to background GMA, but were significantly affected by major geomagnetic disturbances and storms. A strong correlation between CRA variations (cosmic ray intensity measured by ground-based neutron monitors on the Earth’s surface) and the number of TA (p = 0.001) has been observed. It was found that the number of TA which occur within a month depends significantly on the particular month of the year, the CRA, and the SA levels (inverse correlation). The increase of the number of TA is also significantly linked to geomagnetic storms, but not to steady GMA. These effects can be related to changes in human functional and behavioral markers provoked by EPA influences.     

Intraspecific Variation and Interspecific Differences in the Bacterial and Fungal Assemblages of Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Parus major) Nests

Although interest in the relationship between birds and microorganisms is increasing, few studies have compared nest microbial assemblages in wild passerines to determine variation within and between species. Culturing microorganisms from blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tit (Parus major) nests from the same study site demonstrated diverse microbial communities with 32 bacterial and 13 fungal species being isolated. Dominant bacteria were Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, and Staphylococcus hyicus. Also common in the nests were the keratinolytic bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bacillus subtilis. Dominant fungi were Cladosporium herbarum and Epicoccum purpurascens. Aspergillus flavous, Microsporum gallinae, and Candida albicans (causative agents of avian aspergillosis, favus, and candidiasis, respectively) were present in 30%, 25%, and 10% of nests, respectively. Although there were no differences in nest mass or materials, bacterial (but not fungal) loads were significantly higher in blue tit nests. Microbial species also differed interspecifically. As regards potential pathogens, the prevalence of Enterobacter cloacae was higher in blue tit nests, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa—present in 30% of blue tit nests—was absent from great tit nests. The allergenic fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides was both more prevalent and abundant in great tit nests. Using discriminant function analysis (DFA), nests were classified to avian species with 100% accuracy using the complete microbial community. Partial DFA models were created using a reduced number of variables and compared using Akaike’s information criterion on the basis of model fit and parsimony. The best models classified unknown nests with 72.5–95% accuracy using a small subset of microbes (n = 1–8), which always included Pseudomonas agarici. This suggests that despite substantial intraspecific variation in nest microflora, there are significant interspecific differences—both in terms of individual microbes and the overall microbial community—even when host species are closely related, ecologically similar, sympatric, and construct very similar nests.     

Bacterioneuston Abundance and Physicochemical Properties of the Surface Microlayer of Lake Baikal

Biology Bulletin - Abstract—The aquatic surface microlayer at the interface between the atmosphere and the hydrosphere occupies 70% of the Earth’s surface, covering all water bodies....     

On the Role of Ideas of Human Nature in Shaping Attitudes Towards Environmental Governance

Attitudes towards the management of the natural environment have been described mainly as building on individuals’ images of nature and the human–nature relationship. However, in previous qualitative research I found strong evidence that in order to understand public views on environmental policies we also need to understand individuals’ beliefs about their fellow humans. The present study tested the hypothesis that beliefs about human nature and preferences for certain governance approaches—such as regulations and collective action—are related to individuals’ attitudes towards concrete management measures. Survey results (n = 155), analysed by means of structural equation modelling, suggest that effects of beliefs about human nature are discernible, but not significant. I could, however, identify generic preferences for particular approaches to environmental governance. These significantly explained variation in attitudes towards environmental governance in an applied context, suggesting a strong need for further research in this politically highly relevant field.     

Simulation of ‘hitch-hiking’ genealogies

An ancestral influence graph is derived, an analogue of the coalescent and a composite of Griffiths' (1991) two-locus ancestral graph and Krone and Neuhauser's (1997) ancestral selection graph. This generalizes their use of branching-coalescing random graphs so as to incorporate both selection and recombination into gene genealogies. Qualitative understanding of a ‘hitch-hiking’ effect on genealogies is pursued via diagrammatic representation of the genealogical process in a two-locus, two-allele haploid model. Extending the simulation technique of Griffiths and Tavaré (1996), computational estimation of expected times to the most recent common ancestor of samples of n genes under recombination and selection in two-locus, two-allele haploid and diploid models are presented. Such times are conditional on sample configuration. Monte Carlo simulations show that ‘hitch-hiking’ is a subtle effect that alters the conditional expected depth of the genealogy at the linked neutral locus depending on a mutation-selection-recombination balance. Received: 21 July 2000 / Published online: 5 December 2000     

Influence of Therapy with Metformin on the Concentration of Certain Divalent Cations in Patients with Non-insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Research was performed on a group of 30 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), who never received antidiabetic medication before, and on a group of 17 healthy adults. The patients were administered treatment with metformin, 1,000 mg/day. Plasmatic and urinary concentration of magnesium have been measured, copper and zinc along with the concentrations of glucose, HDL, LDL, cholesterol, tryglicerides, HbA1c, and total erythrocyte magnesium, in advance and after 3 months of treatment. Data showed significant differences in the NIDDM group vs the control group: for plasma magnesium—1.95 ± 0.19 vs 2.20 ± 0.18 mg/dl, p < 0.001; urine magnesium—237.28 ± 34.51 vs 126.25 ± 38.22 mg/24 h, p < 0.001; erythrocyte magnesium—5.09 ± 0.63 vs 6.38 ± 0.75 mg/dl, p < 0.001; plasma zinc—67.56 ± 6.21 vs 98.41 ± 20.47 μg/dl, p < 0.001; urine zinc—1,347.54 ± 158.24 vs 851.65 ± 209.75 μg/24 h, p < 0.001; plasma copper—111.91 ± 20.98 vs 96.33 ± 8.56 μg/dl, p < 0.001; and urine copper—51.70 ± 23.79 vs 36.00 ± 11.70 μg/24 h, p < 0.05. Treatment with metformin for 3 months modified significant erythrocyte magnesium—5.75 ± 0.61 vs 5.09 ± 0.63 mg/dl, p < 0.001 and urine magnesium—198.27 ± 27.07 vs 237.28 ± 34.51 mg/24 h, p < 0.001, whereas it did not modify significant the plasmatic and urinary concentration of the other cations. The erythrocyte magnesium concentration was inversely correlated with HbA1c (r = −0.438, p = 0.015). The plasma level of copper was positively correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.517, p < 0.003), tryglicerides (r = 0.534, p < 0.003), and cholesterol (r = 0.440, p < 0.05), and the plasma level of zinc was inversely correlated with glycemia (r = −0.399, p = 0.029). Our data show a significant action of metformin therapy, by increasing the total intraerythrocyte magnesium concentration and decreasing the urinary magnesium elimination, positively correlated with the decrease of glycemia and HbA1c in NIDDM patients.     

Influence of the Selected Antioxidants on the Stability of the Celsior Solution Used for Perfusion and Organ Preservation Purposes

The purpose of the following research was to improve the original Celsior solution in order to obtain a higher degree of stability and effectiveness. The solution was modified by the addition of selected antioxidants such as vitamin C, cysteine, and fumaric acid in the following concentrations: 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mmol/l. The solution’s stability was estimated using an accelerated stability test based on changes in histidine concentrations in the solution using Pauly’s method for determining concentrations. Elevated temperatures, the factor accelerating substances’ decomposition reaction rate, were used in the tests. The research was conducted at four temperatures at intervals of 10°C: 60 ± 0.2°C, 70 ± 0.2°C, 80 ± 0.2°C, and 90 ± 0.2°C. It was stated that the studied substances’ decomposition occurred in accordance with the equation for first-order reactions. The function of the logarithmic concentration (log%C) over time was revealed to be rectilinear. This dependence was used to determine the kinetics of decomposition reaction rate parameters (the rate constant of decomposition k, activation energy E _a, and frequency factor A). On the basis of these parameters, the stability of the modified solution was estimated at +5°C. The results obtained show that the proposed antioxidants have a significant effect on lengthening the Celsior solution’s stability. The best results were reached when combining two antioxidants: vitamin C and cysteine in 0.5 mmol/l concentrations. As a result, the Celsior solution’s stability was lengthened from 22 to 299 days, which is 13.5 times. Vitamin C at a concentration of 0.5 mmol/l increased the solution’s stability by 5.2 times (t ₉₀ = 115 days), cysteine at a concentration of 0.5 mmol/l caused a 4.4 times stability increase (t ₉₀ = 96 days), and fumaric acid at a concentration of 0.5 mmol/l extended the stability by 2.1 times (t ₉₀ = 48 days) in relation to the original solution.     

Degradation of styrene by white-rot fungi

Degradation of styrene in the gaseous phase was investigated for white-rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus (two strains), Trametes versicolor, Bjerkandera adusta and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Fungi were grown in liquid culture and the gas/mycelium contact surface was enhanced with the help of perlite. The influence of various inducers on styrene degradation was studied. The best inducers for styrene degradation were lignosulphonate for P. ostreatus and T. versicolor and wood meal for B. adusta and P. chrysosoporium. Under these conditions all fungi were able to degrade styrene almost completely in 48 h at a concentration of 44 μmol/250 ml total culture volume; one strain of P. ostreatus was able to remove 88 μmol styrene under these conditions. Three transformation products of [¹⁴C]styrene in cultures of P. ostreatus were identified: phenyl-1,2-ethanediol, 2-phenylethanol and benzoic acid; 4% of the styrene was metabolised to CO₂ in 24 h and no other volatile products were found. Received: 16 July 1996 / Received revision: 23 September 1996 / Accepted: 29 September 1996     

Efficient mediator-independent hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds,using the obligate anaerobe,Acetobacterium woodii,with fructose as an electron donor

Fructose and H₂ were compared as electron donors for hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds using Acetobacterium woodii. Caffeate was used as a model substrate. An electron donor was required and both fructose and H₂ were suitable. With fructose as the donor, the K _s for caffeate was 0.5 mM and the V _max was 678 mmol kg_dry weight ⁻¹ h⁻¹.␣Fructose oxidation was coupled very efficiently to caffeate reduction by an alteration in the fructose fermentation so that acetate was no longer produced. Received: 24 June 1996 / Accepted: 1 July 1996     

Genetic diversity assessment of sub-samples of cacao, Theobroma cacao L. collections in West Africa using simple sequence repeats marker

Knowledge of genebank and on-farm genetic diversity, particularly in an introduced crop species, is crucial to the management and utilization of the genetic resources available. Microsatellite markers were used to determine genetic diversity in 574 accessions of cacao, Theobroma cacao L., representing eight groups covering parental populations in West Africa, genebank, and farmers’ populations in Nigeria. From the 12 microsatellite markers used, a total of 144 alleles were detected with a mean allelic richness of 4.39 alleles/locus. The largest genetic diversity was found in the Upper Amazon parent population (H _nb  = 0.730), followed by the 1944 Posnette’s Introduction (H _nb  = 0.704), and was lowest in the Local parent population (H _nb  = 0.471). Gene diversity was appreciably high in the farmers’ populations (H _nb  = 0.563–0.624); however, the effective number of alleles was lower than that found in the genebank’s Posnette’s population. Fixation index estimates indicated deficiency of heterozygotes in the Upper Amazon and the Local parent populations (F _is  = 0.209 and 0.160, respectively), and excess of heterozygotes in the Trinitario parent population (F _is  = −0.341). The presence of inbreeding in the Local parent populations and substructure (Wahlund effect) in the Upper Amazon were suggested for the deficiency of heterozygotes observed. Non-significant genetic differentiation observed between the genebank’s and farmers’ populations indicated significant impact of national breeding programs on varieties grown in farmers’ plantations. From this study, we showed that appreciable genetic diversity was present in on-farm and field genebank collections of cacao that can be exploited for crop improvement in West Africa. Suggestions for future conservation of on-farm genetic diversity and local landraces are further discussed.     

Intertidal zone of Svalbard 3. Littoral of a subarctic, oceanic island: Bjornoya

Twenty-two stations in the intertidal and shallow sublittoral of Bjornoya (74 °N, 19 °E) were studied in August 1994 revealing a large and diverse standing crop of macro-algae (16 species) and littoral macrofauna (at least 17 species). In most places the biomass of littoral macroorganisms exceeded 100 g ww/m². In the shallow sublittoral, between 2 and 20 m, 45 animal taxa and 23 algae species were collected. Littoral coarse sand meiofauna was dominated by Turbellaria, while, on algae, Halacaridae and Harpacticoida predominated. Meiofauna densities ranged from 0 to 169 ind./10 cm² and biomass from 0 to 0.4 g dw/m². The abundance of littoral species and their zoogeographic origin resemble that of Spitsbergen more than that of the northern Scandinavian coast, although both are of equal distance from Bjornoya. The first record of the boreal bivalve Mytilus edulis from the island is presented. Another striking feature was the presence of the arctic amphipod Gammarus setosus and the absence of its boreal sibling species G.oceanicus. Received: 19 March 1996 / Accepted: 1 December 1996     

Long-term vegetation dynamics in the Šumava Mts. natural spruce-fir-beech forests

In 1972(74)–1996(98), repeated phytocoenological surveys of natural mixed forest remainders were made on permanent plots in the Šumava Mts. in the south-western part of the Czech Republic. The surveys were made in localities with subsoils poor in nutrients (Boubín-Milešice—27 plots) and in a locality with nutrient-rich subsoil (Stožec—15 plots). Vegetation dynamics were studied according to the year of measurement and the nutrient capacity of the geological bedrock. We used the indices of floristic similarity, the calculation of plant communities’ characteristics (Shannon–Wiener’s index, equitability index), the calculation of taxa characteristics (fidelity, average cover, constancy) and multivariate ordination analyses—indirect (DCA) and direct (CCA). Changes in environmental conditions were studied between the years of measurement and between the localities using bioindication—by the calculation of Ellenberg indicator values (EIV) for plant communities. Over 24 years both the nutrient-poor site and the nutrient-rich site showed a considerable reduction in the tree layer cover and conversely the advancement of shrub layers. The coverage degree of dominants in the main tree layer (Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies and Abies alba) markedly decreased. Abies alba also exhibited a pronounced drop in constancy. On the other hand, the lower tree layer and shrub layers in Boubín-Milešice exhibited a distinctive invasion of Fagus sylvatica. An increase in the frequency of Sorbus aucuparia and a decrease in the frequency of Ulmus glabra were determined too. Herb layer changes were highly significant between the 1970s and the 1990s with qualitative changes being greater than quantitative changes. The number of species and Shannon–Wiener’s index increased. A significant difference was recorded between the nutrient-poor and the nutrient-rich sites in the values of the quantitative similarity of relevés with other differences being insignificant. The nutrient-poor sites exhibited herb layer homogenisation. A significant increase of EIV for light was found on both site types. The changes in phytocoenoses were interpreted partly as developmental trends (caused by indirect impact of man—e.g. fluctuations in game populations since the 18th century, the impact of air pollution); partly as cyclical changes connected with the developmental cycle of the natural temperate forest.     

Isolation and characterization of a thermophilic bacillus strain,that degrades phenol and cresols as sole carbon source at 70 °C

A phenol-degrading thermophilic bacterium, designated Bacillus sp. A2, was isolated from a water and mud sample from a hot spring in Iceland. The aerobic isolate grew optimally on phenol at 65 °C. At 70 °C, 85% of the optimal growth rate was still observed. No growth was observed at 40 °C and 75 °C. Bacillus sp. A2 is a gram-positive spore-forming rod. According to 16S rDNA analysis Bacillus sp. A2 is closely related to Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus kaustophilus and Bacillus thermoleovorans. Bacillus sp. A2 degraded phenol completely in concentrations up to 5 mM. In addition, all three isomers of cresol were utilized as sole carbon and energy sources. The degradation of phenols proceeds via the meta-cleavage pathway and the enzymes involved in its degradation are constitutively expressed. Received: 13 May 1996 / Received revision: 29 July 1996 / Accepted: 12 August 1996     

Application of the Plackett-Burman experimental design to evaluate nutritional requirements for the production of Colletotrichum coccodes spores

Colletotrichum coccodes is being examined as a biological weed control agent for velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). A modified Richard's solution containing V-8 juice has been used to produce C. coccodes spores for growth-chamber and field experiments. Although C. coccodes sporulates well in this medium, V-8 is not available as a bulk commodity and is too expensive for commercial production. Eight substrates were evaluated as replacements for V-8 juice in modified Richard's solution. Soy protein and casamino acids were equal to V-8 juice for sporulation of C. coccodes. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to test the relative importance of various components of a complex medium based on soy protein on mycelium biomass production and sporulation of C. coccodes. A new medium composed of sucrose (20 g/l), soy protein (5 g/l), KNO₃ (5 g/l), KH₂PO₄ (5 g/l), MgSO₄ (2 g/l), CaCl₂ (0.5 g/l), and CuSO₄ (0.05 g/l) was selected as the base medium for further study in the development of a low-cost and effective medium for C. coccodes spore production. Received: 29 July 1996 / Received revision: 21 October 1996 / Accepted: 10 November 1996     

Repeated batch cultivation of the microalga Spirulina platensis

Summary The cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms such as the microalga Spirulina platensis can provide an alternative source of food. The water in Mangueira Lagoon (Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil) has several required nutrients for the growth of Spirulina and could be added to culture medium to reduce the cost of producing S. platensis. Although little studied, repeated batch cultivation is a very useful technique because it has a better cost–benefit ratio than other cultivation methods. In a series of runs, we studied the influence of cell concentration, renewal rate and strain on the specific growth rate and biomass productivity of S. platensis during repeated batch cultivation, the runs taking place in 2-l Erlenmeyer flasks for 2160 h at 30 °C and a light intensity of 2500 lux under a 12 h photoperiod. The three factors studied had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the results (specific growth rate and productivity). Using Zarrouk’s medium, the highest specific growth rate (μ_X) was 0.111 day⁻¹ while the biomass productivity (P _X) was 0.0423 g l⁻¹ day⁻¹, while Mangueira Lagoon water supplemented with 10% Zarrouk’s medium gave μ_X = 0.113 day⁻¹ and a productivity P _X = 0.0467 g l⁻¹ day⁻¹. These values were two to three times higher than the results obtained in batch cultivation, indicating that the repeated batch cultivation of S. platensis is attractive and convenient.