Photo-induced electron transfer between hypocrellins and nano-sized semiconductor CdS——EPR study on the kinetics of photosensitized reduction in HA-CdS and HB-CdS systems

Both HA-CdS and HB-CdS (Hys-CdS, Hys represents HA, HB) complex systems were established according to the dynamics of heterogeneous electron-transfer process μ = Es/s+-ECB <0. In these systems, the electron transferring from 1Hys* to conduction band ofCdS is feasible. Determined from the fluorescence quenching, the apparent association constants (Kapp) between Hypocrellin A(HA), Hypocrellin B (HB) and CdS sol. were about 940 (mol/L)-1, 934 (mol/L)-1, respectively. Fluorescence lifetime measurements gave the rate constant for the electron transfer process from 1HA*, 1HB* into conduction band of CdS semiconductor as 5.16×109 s-1, 5.10×109 s-1, respectively. TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethy-1-piperdinyloxy), a stable nitroxide radical, was used in the kinetic study of the reduction reaction taking place on the surface of a CdS colloidal semiconductor, kinetics equation of the reaction was determined with the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method, and the reaction order of TEMPO is zero. When Hys were add     

醌类光敏剂HA, HB与纳米半导体CdS间的光生电子传递——HA-CdS, HB-CdS复合体光敏还原动力学的EPR研究

根据非均相体系电子传递动力μ =E_s*/s+-E_CB(μ＜0)的原理,构建出相匹配的HA-CdS和HB-CdS复合体(以下简称Hys-CdS,Hys代表HA,HB).在该体系中,¹Hys*向CdS导带传递电子是热力学允许的.通过荧光淬灭实验,测出它们之间的表观结合常数(K_app )分别为940 (mol/L)^-1(HA-CdS),934(mol/L)^-1(HB-CdS),表明Hys与CdS间存在较强烈的吸附效应.荧光寿命测定得¹Hys*向CdS导带传递电子的速率常数K_et分别为5.16×10⁹s^-1(HA-CdS), 5.10×10⁹s^-1(HB-CdS).以一种稳定的氮氧自由基TEMPO(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperdinyloxy)作为电子受体,当它接受一个电子和一个质子,其EPR(electron paramagnetic resonance)信号便会消失,据此,应用消自旋的EPR技术,定量研究了苝醌类光敏剂Hys与纳米半导体CdS间光生电子传递动力学,确定了受Hys光敏化作用的CdS纳米半导体表面光还原速率方程和反应动力学速率常数,结果发现,本体系中TEMPO接受电子的反应级数均为0,而不同于均相体系中的反应级数,特别是在相同可见光照射条件下,通过比较单独的CdS与Hys–CdS复合体的光还原速率常数还发现,后者的光还原效率比前者均大,约为350倍,表明Hys对CdS纳米半导体具有显著的光敏化作用.这提示在太阳能应用中,Hys是一种很有效的光敏化剂.     

Coupled effects of irradiance and iron on the growth of a harmful algal bloom-causing microalga Scrippsiella trochoidea

Effects of irradiance and iron on the growth of a typical harmful algal blooms (HABs) causative dinoflagellate, Scrippsiella trochoidea, were investigated under various irradiances (high light: 70 μmol m^?2 s^?1 and low light: 4 μmol m^?2 s^?1) and iron concentrations (low iron: 0.063 mg L^?1, medium iron: 0.63 mg L^?1 and high iron: 6.3 mg L^?1), and evaluated by the parameters of algal cell density, specific growth rate, optical density and chlorophyll a content. The results indicated that there was significant difference in the cell density of dinoflagellate S. trochoidea between high light and low light intensity treatments across the entire experiments, 7-fold higher at high irradiance as compared with low irradiance, which was further enhanced by the iron concentration. It was found that the maximum cell density of 25 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 occurred under the combination of high light intensity and high iron concentration, followed by 23 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 in the combination of high light and medium iron, and 20 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 in the combination of high light and low iron. There was no significant effect of iron concentration on the cell density under low light intensity. The cell density maintained about 3 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 across all combinations of iron concentrations and low light in the end of experiments. Such interactive effects of light intensity and iron level dependent were also observed for the specific growth rate, OD₆₈₀ and chlorophyll a content of S. trochoidea. The maximum values of specific growth rate, OD₆₈₀ and chlorophyll a content peaked at the condition of high irradiance and high iron, which were 0.22 d^?1, 0.282 and 0.673 mg L^?1, respectively. In general, their values increased significantly with the increasing of iron concentration at high irradiance, whereas no significant difference was observed among three iron concentrations at low irradiance, all remaining approximately 0.06 d^?1, 0.03 and 0.050 mg L^?1, respectively. Those results suggest that there may be a strong interactive effect between irradiance and iron on microalgal growth and their physiological characteristics. The combination of high light and high iron concentration may accelerate algal cell growth and pigment biosynthesis, thus leading to massive occurrence of HABs.     

Coupled effects of irradiance and iron on the growth of a harmful algal bloom-causing microalga Scrippsiella trochoidea

Effects of irradiance and iron on the growth of a typical harmful algal blooms (HABs) causative dinoflagellate, Scrippsiella trochoidea, were investigated under various irradiances (high light: 70 μmol m^?2 s^?1 and low light: 4 μmol m^?2 s^?1) and iron concentrations (low iron: 0.063 mg L^?1, medium iron: 0.63 mg L^?1 and high iron: 6.3 mg L^?1), and evaluated by the parameters of algal cell density, specific growth rate, optical density and chlorophyll a content. The results indicated that there was significant difference in the cell density of dinoflagellate S. trochoidea between high light and low light intensity treatments across the entire experiments, 7-fold higher at high irradiance as compared with low irradiance, which was further enhanced by the iron concentration. It was found that the maximum cell density of 25 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 occurred under the combination of high light intensity and high iron concentration, followed by 23 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 in the combination of high light and medium iron, and 20 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 in the combination of high light and low iron. There was no significant effect of iron concentration on the cell density under low light intensity. The cell density maintained about 3 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 across all combinations of iron concentrations and low light in the end of experiments. Such interactive effects of light intensity and iron level dependent were also observed for the specific growth rate, OD₆₈₀ and chlorophyll a content of S. trochoidea. The maximum values of specific growth rate, OD₆₈₀ and chlorophyll a content peaked at the condition of high irradiance and high iron, which were 0.22 d^?1, 0.282 and 0.673 mg L^?1, respectively. In general, their values increased significantly with the increasing of iron concentration at high irradiance, whereas no significant difference was observed among three iron concentrations at low irradiance, all remaining approximately 0.06 d^?1, 0.03 and 0.050 mg L^?1, respectively. Those results suggest that there may be a strong interactive effect between irradiance and iron on microalgal growth and their physiological characteristics. The combination of high light and high iron concentration may accelerate algal cell growth and pigment biosynthesis, thus leading to massive occurrence of HABs.     

Purification and characteristics of a low-molecular-weight peptide possessing oxidative capacity for phenol from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

A new low-molecular-weight peptide with phenol oxidase activity, named Pc factor, was isolated and purified from liquid culture of a white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Its molecular weight was about 600 Da estimated by gel-filtration. Three amino acids Glu, Gly and Val were detected in hydrolysate. Absorption peaks corresponding to amino acids and peptide were observed by UV and IR spectra analysis. And the signal of Cα of amino acid was also detected by ¹³C-NMR method. Pc factor had high thermostability and remained active in weakly alkalescent pH range. It could chelate Fe³⁺ and reduce it to Fe²⁺, but no hydroxyl radical HO&#9642; could be detected during the reaction process. It could oxidize phenolic lignin-model compounds such as 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP), 2,2¢-azinobis (3-ethylbenzathiazoline-6-sulfinic acid) (ABTS) and syringaldazine in the absence of Mn²⁺ and H₂O₂. These characteristics differed greatly from those of manganese peroxi-dases. The oxidative catalysis of Pc factor can be enhanced by certain metal ions such as Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ etc., and O2 molecule was necessary for this reaction. In summary, Pc factor may function as an electron carrier in this novel oxidation-reduction system.     

The EAG response and behavior of the Saperda populnea L. to volatiles from poplar branches

In order to investigate the effect of organic volatiles from poplar species on the host plants orientation of Saperda populnea, the essential oil in the 2–3 years old branches from the sapling or mature trees of Populus simonii Carr. and P. simonii Carr. × P. nigra L. were extracted using the steam distillation method. The chemical composition and relative content in essential oil from those branches was analyzed by GC–MS. The main components contained in those volatiles from the four kinds of branches are mainly aromatic compounds such as 1,2-cyclohexanedione, 2-cyclohexene-1-one, p-xylene and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and so on. The relative content of aromatic compounds contained in branches from saplings was higher than that contained in branches from old tress. EAG response and behavioral reaction of S. populnea L. to those four kinds of distillated essential oil were tested. The results shown that male and female adults of S. populnea L. shown significant choice behavior and strong olfactory response to those essential oil distillated from branches of P. simonii Carr. and P. simonii Carr. × P. nigra L.. The EAG bioassay of S. populnea L. to 10 kinds of monomers compounds which had relative higher contents was tested. The results shown that the EAG response of female adults of S. populnea L. to 1 mol L^?1 p-xylene was intensest and reached 1.027 mV, the strength of their EAG response to 0.1 mol L^?1 phenol took the second place. The EAG response of male adult of S. populnea L. to 1 mol L^?1 p-xylene was strongest and reached to 0.824 mV, the strength of their EAG response to 1 mol L^?1 salicylaldehyde took the second place. In the choice behavior test of S. populnea L. adult to monomeric compound carried out in ‘Y’ type olfactometer have found that female and male adult of S. populnea L. all appeared obvious positive taxis to 0.1 mol L^?1 p-xylene. The selection rate of female and male adults ware (76.7 ± 4.1)% and (71.7 ± 2.6)%, respectively. The selective reaction to 0.1 mol L^?1 1,2-cyclohexanedione and 2-cyclohexene-1-one were not obviously than that to 0.1 mol L^?1 p-xylene. The male and female adult of S. populnea L. appeared repelling behavior to 0.1 mol L^?1 salicylaldehyde.     

Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in water deficit leaves of grapevine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.) plants

Photoinhibition under irradiance of 2 000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (HI) was studied in detached control (C) and water deficit (WD) leaves of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants. The degree of photoinhibition was determined by means of the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (F_v/F_m) and electron transport measurements. The potential efficiency of photosystem (PS) 2, F_v/F_m, marginally declined under HI in WD-leaves without significant increase of F₀. In contrast, F_v/F_m ratio declined markedly with significant increase of F₀ in C-leaves. In isolated thylakoids, the rate of whole chain and PS2 activity under HI were more decreased in C-than WD-leaves. The artificial exogenous electron donors diphenyl carbazide, NH₂OH, and Mn²⁺ failed to restore the HI-induced loss of PS2 activity in both C-and WD-leaves. Thus HI operates at the acceptor side of PS2 in both leaf types. Quantification of the PS2 reaction centre protein D1 following HI exposure of leaves showed pronounced differences between C-and WD-leaves. The marked loss of PS2 activity under HI of C-leaves was due to the marked loss of D1 protein of the PS2 reaction centre.     

The EAG response and behavior of the Saperda populnea L. to volatiles from poplar branches

In order to investigate the effect of organic volatiles from poplar species on the host plants orientation of Saperda populnea, the essential oil in the 2–3 years old branches from the sapling or mature trees of Populus simonii Carr. and P. simonii Carr. × P. nigra L. were extracted using the steam distillation method. The chemical composition and relative content in essential oil from those branches was analyzed by GC–MS. The main components contained in those volatiles from the four kinds of branches are mainly aromatic compounds such as 1,2-cyclohexanedione, 2-cyclohexene-1-one, p-xylene and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and so on. The relative content of aromatic compounds contained in branches from saplings was higher than that contained in branches from old tress. EAG response and behavioral reaction of S. populnea L. to those four kinds of distillated essential oil were tested. The results shown that male and female adults of S. populnea L. shown significant choice behavior and strong olfactory response to those essential oil distillated from branches of P. simonii Carr. and P. simonii Carr. × P. nigra L.. The EAG bioassay of S. populnea L. to 10 kinds of monomers compounds which had relative higher contents was tested. The results shown that the EAG response of female adults of S. populnea L. to 1 mol L^?1 p-xylene was intensest and reached 1.027 mV, the strength of their EAG response to 0.1 mol L^?1 phenol took the second place. The EAG response of male adult of S. populnea L. to 1 mol L^?1 p-xylene was strongest and reached to 0.824 mV, the strength of their EAG response to 1 mol L^?1 salicylaldehyde took the second place. In the choice behavior test of S. populnea L. adult to monomeric compound carried out in ‘Y’ type olfactometer have found that female and male adult of S. populnea L. all appeared obvious positive taxis to 0.1 mol L^?1 p-xylene. The selection rate of female and male adults ware (76.7 ± 4.1)% and (71.7 ± 2.6)%, respectively. The selective reaction to 0.1 mol L^?1 1,2-cyclohexanedione and 2-cyclohexene-1-one were not obviously than that to 0.1 mol L^?1 p-xylene. The male and female adult of S. populnea L. appeared repelling behavior to 0.1 mol L^?1 salicylaldehyde.     

Surface N balances and reactive N loss to the environment from global intensive agricultural production systems for the period 1970―2030

Data for the historical years 1970 and 1995 and the FAO-Agriculture Towards 2030 projection are used to calculate N inputs (N fertilizer, animal manure, biological N fixation and atmospheric deposition) and the N export from the field in harvested crops and grass and grass consumption by grazing animals. In most industrialized countries we see a gradual increase of the overall N recovery of the intensive agricultural production systems over the whole 1970―2030 period. In contrast, low N input systems in many developing countries sustained low crop yields for many years but at the cost of soil fertility by depleting soil nutrient pools. In most developing countries the N recovery will increase in the coming decades by increasing efficiencies of N use in both crop and livestock production systems. The surface balance surplus of N is lost from the agricultural system via different pathways, including NH₃ volatilization, denitrification, N₂O and NO emissions, and nitrate leaching from the root zone. Global NH₃-N emissions from fertilizer and animal manure application and stored manure increased from 18 to 34 Tg·yr^-1 between 1970 and 1995, and will further increase to 44 Tg·yr^-1 in 2030. Similar developments are seen for N₂O-N (2.0 Tg·yr^-1 in 1970, 2.7 Tg·yr^-1 in 1995 and 3.5 Tg·yr^-1 in 2030) and NO-N emissions (1.1 Tg·yr^-1 in 1970, 1.5 Tg·yr^-1 in 1995 and 2.0 Tg·yr^-1 in 2030).     

GABA/progesterone-induced polyphosphoinositide (PPI) breakdown and its role in the acrosome reaction of guinea pig spermatozoain vitro

To investigate whether GABA/progesterone (P₄) stimulates PPI breakdown and its role in the acrosome reaction (AR), spermatozoa of guinea pig were preincubated in MCM-LCa²⁺ for 5.5 h and then labeled with [³²P]pi for 1 h. Samples were washed through a three-step gradient Percoll, adjusted to 5×10⁷ cells/mL and exposed to 2 mmol/L Ca²⁺, 5 ?mol/L GABA, 10 ?mol/L P₄ and other agents. Lipids were separated by t.l.c. and radioactivity in spots determined by scintillation counting. The AR was assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. The results showed that (i) when spermatozoa were treated with GABA, ³²P-label diminished rapidly in phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP₂), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP), and increased in phosphatidic acid (PA). The loss of label from PPI was almost completed by 10 min. The time-course of the AR was much slower than PPI when spermatozoa reached a maximal response by 15 min; (ii) the pattern of PPI hydrolysis and stimulation of AR was similar for the three agonists tested;their potency followed the order A23187＞progesterone≥GABA; (iii) GABA-induced PIP₂ hydrolysis and rise in PA and the AR were prevented by inclusion of 10 mmol/L neomycin; (iv) the loss of PIP2 labeling and the increase in PA labeling abolished when spermatozoa were exposed to EGTA or Ca²⁺ channel blocker. These results indicate that GABA or P₄^-induced PPI breakdown is an important and essential event in the series of changes to membrane fusion during the AR of guinea pig spermatozoa and this effect is mediated via calcium by activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.     

Photo-induced electron transfer between hypocrellins and nano-sized semiconductor CdS —EPR study on the kinetics of photosensitized reduction in HA-CdS and HB-CdS systems

Both HA-CdS and HB-CdS (Hys-CdS, Hys represents HA, HB) complex systems were established according to the dynamics of heterogeneous electron-transfer process m = E_{S^* /S⁺} - E < 0\mu = E_{S^* /S^ + } - E< 0 . In these systems, the electron transferring from¹Hys* to conduction band of CdS is feasible. Determined from the fluorescence quenching, the apparent association constants (K_app) between Hypocrellin A (HA), Hypocrellin B. (HB) and CdS sol. were about 940 (mol/L)⁻¹, 934 (mol/L)⁻¹, respectively. Fluorescence lifetime measurements gave the rate constant for the electron transfer process from¹HA*,¹HB* into conduction band of CdS semiconductor as 5.16 × 10⁹ s⁻¹, 5.10 × 10⁹ s⁻¹, respectively. TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethy-1-piperdinyloxy), a stable nitroxide radical, was used in the kinetic study of the reduction reaction taking place on the surface of a CdS colloidal semiconductor, kinetics equation of the reaction was determined with the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method, and the reaction order of TEMPO is zero. When Hys were added, the rate of EPR increased greatly. By comparing rate constants, the Hys-CdS systems were revealed to be about 350 times more efficient than CdS sol. alone in the photoreduction of TEMPO under visible light. It suggests that Hys can be used as efficient sensitizers of a colloidal semiconductor in the application of solar energy.     

Photo-induced electron transfer between hypocrellins and nano-sized semiconductor CdS-- EPR study on the kinetics of photosensitized reduction in HA-CdS and HB-CdS systems

Both HA-CdS and HB-CdS (Hys-CdS, Hys represents HA, HB) complex systems were established according to the dynamics of heterogeneous electron-transfer process ＜0. In these systems, the electron transferring from 1Hys* to conduction band of CdS is feasible. Determined from the fluorescence quenching, the apparent association constants (Kapp) between Hypocrellin A (HA), Hypocrellin B (HB) and CdS sol. were about 940 (mol/L)-1, 934 (mol/L)-1, respectively. Fluorescence lifetime measurements gave the rate constant for the electron transfer process from 1HA*, 1HB* into conduction band of CdS semiconductor as 5.16×109 s-1, 5.10×109 s-1, respectively. TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethy-1-piperdinyloxy), a stable nitroxide radical, was used in the kinetic study of the reduction reaction taking place on the surface of a CdS colloidal semiconductor, kinetics equation of the reaction was determined with the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method, and the reaction order of TEMPO is zero. When Hys were added, the rate of EPR increased greatly. By comparing rate constants, the Hys-CdS systems were revealed to be about 350 times more efficient than CdS sol. alone in the photoreduction of TEMPO under visi-ble light. It suggests that Hys can be used as efficient sensitizers of a colloidal semiconductor in the application of solar energy.     

Influence of agitation and aeration on growth and antibiotic production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenorhabdus nematophila</Emphasis>

The effect of agitation and aeration on the growth and antibiotic production by Xenorhabdus nematophila YL001 grown in batch cultures were investigated. Efficiency of aeration and agitation was evaluated through the oxygen mass transfer coefficient (K _L a). With increase in K _L a, the biomass and antibiotic activity increased. Activity units of antibiotic and dry cell weight were increased to 232 U ml⁻¹ and 19.58 g l⁻¹, respectively, productivity in cell and antibiotic was up more than 30% when K _L a increased from 115.9 h⁻¹ to 185.7 h⁻¹. During the exponential growth phase, DO concentration was zero, the oxygen supply was not sufficient. So, based on process analysis, a three-stage oxygen supply control strategy was used to improved the DO concentration above 30% by controlling the agitation speed and aeration rate. The dry cell weight and activity units of antibiotic were further increased to 24.22 g l⁻¹ and 249 U ml⁻¹, and were improved by 24.0% and 7.0%, compared with fermentation at a constant agitation speed and a constant aeration rate (300 rev min⁻¹, 2.5 l min⁻¹).     

Ginsenoside Rd production from the major ginsenoside Rb<Subscript>1</Subscript> by <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-glucosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermus caldophilus</Emphasis>

Under optimum conditions (pH 5, 75°C, and 0.2 U purified enzyme ml⁻¹), 4 mg ginsenoside Rd was produced from 5 mg reagent-grade ginsenoside Rb₁ in 5 ml after 30 min by β-glucosidase from Thermus caldophilus GK24. Using a ginseng root extract containing 1 mg ginsenoside Rb₁ ml⁻¹ and 3.2 mg additional ginsenosides ml⁻¹, 1.23 mg ginsenoside Rd ml⁻¹ was produced after 18 h; the concentrations of ginsenosides Rb₁, Rb₂, and Rc used for ginsenoside Rd production were 0.77, 0.17, and 0.19 mg ml⁻¹, respectively.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of photosynthetic activity in sun and shade leaves of trees

The differences in pigment levels, photosynthetic activity and the chlorophyll fluorescence decrease ratio R _Fd (as indicator of photosynthetic rates) of green sun and shade leaves of three broadleaf trees (Platanus acerifolia Willd., Populus alba L., Tilia cordata Mill.) were compared. Sun leaves were characterized by higher levels of total chlorophylls a + b and total carotenoids x + c as well as higher values for the weight ratio chlorophyll (Chl) a/b (sun leaves 3.23–3.45; shade leaves: 2.74–2.81), and lower values for the ratio chlorophylls to carotenoids (a + b)/(x + c) (with 4.44–4.70 in sun leaves and 5.04–5.72 in shade leaves). Sun leaves exhibited higher photosynthetic rates P _N on a leaf area basis (mean of 9.1–10.1 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹) and Chl basis, which correlated well with the higher values of stomatal conductance G _s (range 105–180 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹), as compared to shade leaves (G _s range 25–77 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹; P _N: 3.2–3.7 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹). The higher photosynthetic rates could also be detected via imaging the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R _Fd, which possessed higher values in sun leaves (2.8–3.0) as compared to shade leaves (1.4–1.8). In addition, via R _Fd images it was shown that the photosynthetic activity of the leaves of all trees exhibits a large heterogeneity across the leaf area, and in general to a higher extent in sun leaves than in shade leaves.     

Inhibition by light of CO2 evolution from dark respiration: Comparison of two gas exchange methods

Two approaches to determine the fraction (μ) of mitochondrial respiration sustained during illumination by measuring CO₂ gas exchange are compared. In single leaves, the respiration rate in the light (`day respiration' rate R<sub>d</sub>) is determined as the ordinate of the intersection point of A–c<sub>i</sub> curves at various photon flux densities and compared with the CO<sub>2</sub> evolution rate in darkness (`night respiration' rate R_n). Alternatively, using leaves with varying values of CO₂ compensation concentration (Γ), intracellular resistance (r_i) and R_n, an average number for μ can be derived from the linear regression between Γ and the product r_iċR_n. Both methods also result in a number c* for that intercellular CO₂ concentration at which net CO₂ uptake rate is equal to –R_d. c* is an approximate value of the photocompensation point Γ* (Γ in the absence of mitochondrial respiration), which is related to the CO₂/O₂ specificity factor of Rubisco S_c/o. The presuppositions and limitations for application of both approaches are discussed. In leaves of Nicotiana tabacum, at 22 °C, single leaf measurements resulted in mean values of μ = 0.71 and c_* = 34 μmol mol⁻¹. At the photosynthetically active photon flux density of 960 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹, nearly the same numbers were derived from the linear relationship between Γ and r_iċR_n. c* and R_d determined by single leaf measurements varied between 31 and 41 μmol mol⁻¹ and between 0.37 and 1.22 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. A highly significant negative correlation between c* and R_d was found. From the regression equation we obtained estimates for Γ* (39 μmol mol⁻¹), S_c/o (96.5 mol mol⁻¹) and the mesophyll CO₂ transfer resistance (7.0 mol⁻¹ m² s). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Endocrinological investigation into the reproductive cycles of two sympatric skate species, Malacoraja senta and Amblyraja radiata, in the western Gulf of Maine

The smooth skate, Malacoraja senta, and thorny skate, Amblyraja radiata, are two commercially exploited batoids found within the Gulf of Maine. During the past five years, we conducted a large study to accurately describe important biological life history parameters previously lacking for these species. As part of that project, the current study reports our findings on the hormonal profiles associated with the reproductive cycles of M. senta and A. radiata. Blood samples were obtained from mature M. senta and A. radiata of both sexes from all months of the year, and plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) concentrations were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA). In female M. senta and A. radiata, monthly T concentrations ranged from 4,522 pg ml⁻¹ to 1,373 pg ml⁻¹ and 31,940 pg ml⁻¹ to 14,428 pg ml⁻¹, E₂ concentrations from 831 pg ml⁻¹ to 60 pg ml⁻¹ and 8,515 pg ml⁻¹ to 2,902 pg ml⁻¹, and P₄ concentrations from 3,027 pg ml⁻¹ to 20 pg ml⁻¹ and 3,264 pg ml⁻¹ to 331 pg ml⁻¹, respectively. No statistical differences were detected between any months for any hormone. Estradiol concentrations were not correlated with ovary weight, shell gland weight, or diameter of the largest follicles in either species. Monthly T concentrations in male M. senta and A. radiata ranged from 23,146 to 12,660 pg ml⁻¹ and from 57,500pg ml⁻¹ to 24,737 pg ml⁻¹, while E₂ concentrations ranged from 7.5 pg ml⁻¹ to undetectable and 103 to 30 pg ml⁻¹, respectively. No statistical differences were observed between months for either steroid. Testosterone concentrations were weakly correlated with testes weight and percent of stage VI spermatocysts in A. radiata, however, no correlation was detected between T and stage VI spermatocysts in M. senta. Collectively, these data support the previous conclusion that M. senta and A. radiata of both sexes are capable of reproducing year round in the western Gulf of Maine.     

Effects of NO2? and NO3? on the Fe(III)EDTA reduction in a chemical absorption–biological reduction integrated NOx removal system

The biological reduction of Fe(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a key step for NO removal in a chemical absorption–biological reduction integrated process. Since typical flue gas contain oxygen, NO₂ ⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ would be present in the absorption solution after NO absorption. In this paper, the interaction of NO₂ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, and Fe(III)EDTA reduction was investigated. The experimental results indicate that the Fe(III)EDTA reduction rate decrease with the increase of NO₂ ⁻ or NO₃ ⁻ addition. In the presence of 10 mM NO₂ ⁻ or NO₃ ⁻, the average reduction rate of Fe(III)EDTA during the first 6-h reaction was 0.076 and 0.17 mM h⁻¹, respectively, compared with 1.07 mM h⁻¹ in the absence of NO₂ ⁻ and NO₃ ⁻. Fe(III)EDTA and either NO₂ ⁻ or NO₃ ⁻ reduction occurred simultaneously. Interestingly, the reduction rate of NO₂ ⁻ or NO₃ ⁻ was enhanced in presence of Fe(III)EDTA. The inhibition patterns observed during the effect of NO₂ ⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ on the Fe(III)EDTA reduction experiments suggest that Escherichia coli can utilize NO₂ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, and Fe(III)EDTA as terminal electron acceptors.     

Taxane Production in Suspension Culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Media</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hicksii</Emphasis> Carried Out in Flasks and Bioreactor

Paclitaxel and 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III) were produced in suspension cultures of Taxus × media var. Hicksii grown in shake-flasks and in a 7-l bioreactor reaching, in the bioreactor, 4.4 mg l⁻¹ (on day 14) and 37.5 mg l⁻¹ (on day 11). In shake-flasks the highest total content of paclitaxel and 10-DAB III was 7.3 mg l⁻¹ (on day 4) and 8.8 mg l⁻¹ (on day 18). Phenylalanine, at 0.05 mM, increased paclitaxel accumulation in cells cultivated in bioreactor and flasks 30-fold and 9-fold (from 0.02 mg l⁻¹ to 0.6 mg l⁻¹ and to 0.2 mg l⁻¹, respectively). The 10-DAB III content in cells from flasks was increased from 0.4 mg l⁻¹ to 1.6 mg l⁻¹.     

Production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-3-hydroxyvalerate) P(3HB-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-3HV) with a broad range of 3HV content at high yields by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia sacchari</Emphasis> IPT 189

The biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) from sucrose and propionic acid by Burkholderia sacchari IPT 189 was studied using a two-stage bioreactor process. In the first stage, this bacterium was cultivated in a balanced culture medium until sucrose exhaustion. In the second stage, a solution containing sucrose and propionic acid as carbon source was fed to the bioreactor at various sucrose/propionic acid (s/p) ratios at a constant specific flow rate. Copolymers with 3HV content ranging from 40 down to 6.5 (mol%) were obtained with 3HV yield from propionic acid (Y _3HV/prop) increasing from 1.10 to 1.34 g g⁻¹. Copolymer productivity of 1 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹ was obtained with polymer biomass content rising up to 60% by increasing a specific flow rate at a constant s/p ratio. Increasing values of 3HV content were obtained by varying the s/p ratios. A simulation of production costs considering Y _3HV/prop obtained in the present work indicated that a reduction of up to 73% can be reached, approximating US$ 1.00 per kg which is closer to the value to produce P3HB from sucrose (US$ 0.75 per kg).