Reliability of Analyses of Hg,Fe, Ca,K, P,pH, Alkalinity,Conductivity, Hardness and Colour from Lakes

The aim of this report has been to present results concerning analytical quality controls of Hg analysis of fish and sediment, analyses of Fe, Ca, total-P, K, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, colour and hardness (Ca + Mg) of lake water samples. Despite the fact that these are standard parameters in many regular water control programs, there are major differences in the reliability with which these parameters can be determined. The focus here is on an overall inter-laboratory comparison between the parameters. Six laboratories have been involved in the analysis. Selected results: pH gives the lowest (average) relative standard deviation (error), about 2 %; conductivity gives an error of about 5–7 %; alkalinity yields an average error of as much as 13–25 %, which is the largest among the parameters studied here; colour also gives a high error, 9–15 %; hardness gives a relative standard deviation of about 6–7 %. Of the other parameters (i. e., Hg, Fe, Ca and P), Hg gives the best reliability and Fe and P the lowest. To have knowledge of the reliability of the analytical data is of paramount importance in most control programs and research projects.     

Uniform hypothesis of cell behavior--movement, contact inhibition of movement, adhesion, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, pinocytosis, division, contact inhibition of division, fusion.

The cell has been represented as a charged liquid drop. Contrary to the DLVO-theory, the effect of the surface potential upon the value of the interfacial tension of the cell membrane has also been taken into consideration. The cell membrane has visco-elastic properties and its constituents may move against each other. Cell movement is caused by the appearance of a small number of the electrically charged constituents of the cell membrane on the leading edge of the cell. This produces a local decrease in the surface tension and the cell membrane expansion. At the moment of contact between two cells proton transfers occur between the strongly negatively charged microvilli of one cell and the body of the other, analogous to a condenser breakdown. This, through the effect on the surface tension, causes contact inhibition of movement. The distribution of the proton dissociable groups modifies the interaction between the cells (differentiation) and between the cell and the substratum (adhesion). Adsorption of the charged compounds at the surface of the cell membrane, decreasing the surface potential and increasing the surface tension, causes the phenomena of chemotaxis, phagocytosis and pinocytosis. Cell division, considered in the terms of the surface energy, requires an adequate supply of considerable quantities of energy inversely proportional to the surface potential value. In case of a reduction of the distance between the cells, their surface potential and the energetic barrier of the cell division processes increases, and causes contact inhibition of cell division. Due to their high charge, division of neoplastic cells is inhibited much later than division of normal cells, or is completely ininhibited due to geometric conditions. Fusion of the cell membrane in the intra-cellular and intercellular processes is a reverse process in relation to the cell division.     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, V, and Zn Contents in Rib Bone of Healthy Humans

The effect of age and gender on major, minor, and trace element contents in the intact rib bone of 80 relatively healthy 15–55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 16 chemical elements in the rib bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn (milligram per kilogram of dry bone) were as follows: 2.54?±?0.16, 171,400?±?4,050, 1.35?±?0.22, 140?±?11, 1,874?±?71, 0.049?±?0.011, 2,139?±?38, 5,378?±?88, 75,140?±?1,660, 1,881?±?51, 291?±?20, and 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Al, B, Mn, and V were <7.20, <0.65, <0.36, and <0.03, respectively. Statistically significant tendency for the Ca, Mg, and P content to decrease with age was found in the human rib bone, regardless of gender. The mass fraction of Fe in the male rib bone increases with age. It was shown that higher Ca, Mg, Na, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content were typical of female ribs as compared to those in male ribs.     

EDTA chelation effects on urinary losses of cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, magnesium, and zinc

The efficacy of a chelating agent in binding a given metal in a biological system depends on the binding constants of the chelator for the particular metals in the system, the concentration of the metals, and the presence and concentrations of other ligands competing for the metals in question. In this study, we make a comparison of the in vitro binding constants for the chelator, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, with the quantitative urinary excretion of the metals measured before and after EDTA infusion in 16 patients. There were significant increases in lead, zinc, cadmium, and calcium, and these increases roughly corresponded to the expected relative increases predicted by the EDTA-metal-binding constants as measured in vitro. There were no significant increases in urinary cobalt, chromium, or copper as a result of EDTA infusion. The actual increase in cobalt could be entirely attributed to the cobalt content of the cyanocobalamin that was added to the infusion. Although copper did increase in the post-EDTA specimens, the increase was not statistically significant. In the case of magnesium, there was a net retention of approximately 85% following chelation. These data demonstrate that EDTA chelation therapy results in significantly increased urinary losses of lead, zinc, cadmium, and calcium following EDTA chelation therapy. There were no significant changes in cobalt, chromium, or copper and a retention of magnesium. These effects are likely to have significant effects on nutrient concentrations and interactions and partially explain the clinical improvements seen in patients undergoing EDTA chelation therapy.     

Soil chemical properties affect the concentration of elements (N,P, K,Ca, Mg,As, Cd,Cr, Cu,Fe, Mn,Ni, Pb,and Zn) and their distribution between organs of Rumex obtusifolius

Background and aims

The ionome (elemental composition) of grassland species has rarely been studied at the level of individual organs and little is known about effects of soil chemical properties on the ionome. Using the model oxalate plant Rumex obtusifolius, we asked how its biomass production and the distribution of elements between its organs is affected by soil chemical properties.

Methods

We established a pot experiment with R. obtusifolius planted in acidic non-contaminated control and in slightly acidic and alkaline soils anthropogenically contaminated by the risk elements As, Cd, Pb, and Zn. Both contaminated soils were untreated and treated by lime and superphosphate. We determined biomass production and the concentrations of elements in its organs.

Results

Biomass production was negatively related to the mobility of micro- and risk elements. Restricted transport of micro- and risk elements from belowground organs into leaves was recorded in untreated contaminated soils. In both lime-treated soils and in superphosphate-treated alkaline soil, elevated transport of micro- and risk elements from belowground organs into leaves was recorded in comparison to untreated contaminated soils. The lowest concentrations of micro- and risk elements were recorded in stems and seeds, followed by belowground organs and leaves.

Conclusions

R. obtusifolius is an As-, Cd-, Pb-, and Zn-excluder and is sensitive to high availability of micro- and risk elements in the soil. Soil chemical properties affect the distribution of essential elements within the plant greatly.     

Definitions,measurements, and classifications of stimuli,situations, and environments

A review is presented of issues relevant to the definition, measurement, and classification of stimuli, situations, and environments. Problems such as the lack of adequate definitions of concepts, error and bias in measurement procedures, confusion between measurement of a concept and measurement of its behavioral effects, and the lack of agreement among alternative measures are emphasized. It is suggested that concepts be defined in terms of objective characteristics while allowing for the study of the transactional relationship between organism and environment. The work of the ethologists in defining stimuli while studying their relationship to different organismic states and situational contexts is emphasized in this regard. Following Brunswik, it is also suggested that wherever possible there be a representative sampling of variables in natural settings. Note from the editors: From time to time, Human Ecology will publish a review article. Our first in this series is a review by a psychologist of basic definitional and conceptual problems in environmental studies.This paper was prepared while the author was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Educational Testing Service. The support of ETS and my colleagues in the Division of Psychological Studies is gratefully acknowledged. The review was also supported in part by a grant from the Rutgers University Research Council.     

Effects of streptomycin,cycloheximide, Fungizone,captan, carbofuran,cygon, and PCNB on soil microorganisms

Eight biocides were chosen to determine whether they had any effects on nontarget organisms in soil and to what extent they would reduce their target populations under laboratory experimental conditions. A simplified microcosm system was utilized in which reduced species arrays that included field populations of either only bacteria and fungi, or bacteria, fungi, and protozoa (no nematodes, arthropods, or plants) were inoculated into sterilized soil. In a second set of experiments, plants were grown in sterilized soil. A bactericide-streptomycin-four fungicides-cycloheximide, Fungizone (amphotericin B), captan, and PCNB (quintozene)-an acaricide-cygon-an insecticide-nematicide-carbofuran-and an insecticide-diazinon-were used. Each biocide had effects on nontarget organisms although the increases or decreases, with respect to the control, were of only limited duration. Reductions in target groups were typically of longer duration. Streptomycin, applied at 1 mg·g^–1 soil, did not decrease bacterial populations during the experimental incubation. At 3 mg·g^–1 soil, streptomycin decreased the numbers of bacteria that grew on tryptone agar, but also reduced active hyphae. Fungizone was the most effective of the 4 fungicides tested in reducing active hyphae. Increased bacterial populations were usually observed following fungal reductions. Carbofuran had the fewest effects on the test organisms (bacteria, fungi, and protozoa). Only an initial stimulation of bacterial and fungal populations was observed with cygon although it also increased NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations in soil during most of the incubation, as did streptomycin and cycloheximide. A transitory increase in fungal populations following a decrease in ciliate numbers was observed in the cygon with grazers treatments. Diazinon reduced all microbial populations and inorganic nitrogen concentrations measured. Cygon and PCNB decreased growth of blue grama plants, while streptomycin reduced shoot weights of blue grama. These results should be useful in assessing the effects of these biocides when applied to more complex systems.     

Cellular polyamines of the acidophilic, thermophilic and thermoacidophilic archaebacteria, Acidilobus, Ferroplasma, Pyrobaculum, Pyrococcus, Staphylothermus, Thermococcus, Thermodiscus and Vulcanisaeta

Cellular polyamines of newly isolated acidophilic, thermophilic and thermoacidophilic archaebacteria were investigated for the chemotaxonomic significance of polyamine distribution profiles. In addition to spermidine, spermine and agmatine, a quaternary branched penta-amine, N(4)-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine, was found in thermophilic Thermococcus waiotapuensis, Thermococcus aegaeus and Pyrococcus glycovorans belonging to the order Thermococcales. An acidophilic euryarchaeon, Ferroplasma acidiphilum located in the order Thermoplasmatales, contained spermidine and agmatine. Norspermidine, spermidine, norspermine and spermine were found in thermoacidophilic Acidilobus aceticus and thermophilic Thermodiscus maritimus located in the order Desulfurococcales, and in thermophilic Pyrobaculum arsenaticum, Pyrobaculum oguniense, Vulcanisaeta distributa and Vulcanisaeta souniana belonging to the order Thermoproteales; however, the four genera differ on their tetra- and penta-amine levels. Thermophilic Staphylothermus hellenicus belonging to Desulfurococcales contained caldopentamine, caldohexamine and N1-acetylcaldopentamine in addition to norspermidine, spermidine and norspermine. This is the first report on the occurrence of acetylated penta-amine in nature.     

Translocation of radionuclides of Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Y, Tc, and Re into organs of tomato plant via roots

The translocation of the radionuclides of Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Y, Tc, and Re into red and green fruits, flesh, seeds, rind, calyxes, flower, leaves, and stems via the root of the tomato plant at two different growth stages was studied by a multitracer technique. The contents (%/g) of Co, Zn, Se, and Y in the roots were the highest among the organs, but only small amounts of them were translocated into the aerial parts after 5 d cultivation with a multitracer. In contrast, Rb, Tc, and Re showed rapid translocation into the stems and leaves from the root. In the plants cultivated for 95 d with a multitracer, Zn, Se, and Rb distributed in all of the organs, Co in the organs except for flowers, and Y, Tc, and Re in the limited organs. The translocation ratio of the elements for the edible part of the plants cultivated for 95 d decreased in the order of Rb>Zn>Co≈Se>Tc≈Y>Re. The transfer factor of the elements for tomato fruit was determined to be in the range of 10⁻⁵–10⁻². The characteristic translocation behavior of the elements gives us fundamental information on the assessment of pollutant uptake by the tomato plant.     

Ammonium Sulfate Fractionation of Sera: Mouse, Hamster, Guinea Pig, Monkey, Chimpanzee, Swine, Chicken, and Cattle

Optimal (NH(4))(2)SO(4) concentrations were sought for serum fractionation in order to obtain the gamma globulin as free as possible from other serum components while maintaining a reasonable recovery. Various ammonium sulfate concentrations were used to fractionate sera from mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, chimpanzees, swine, chicken, and cattle. All precipitates and supernatants were analyzed by electrophoresis to study the effects of various treatments on the composition of these materials. Approximately 75% of all the gamma globulins were recovered when each serum was fractionated with its optimal sulfate concentration. These optimals were determined to be as follows: three precipitations in 35% saturated ammonium sulfate (SAS) for hamster, chimpanzee, swine, and chicken serum; one precipitation in 35% SAS followed by two in 40% SAS for mouse and guinea pig serum; one precipitation in 30% SAS and then two in 40% SAS for monkey serum; and one precipitation in 30% SAS followed by two in 35% SAS for cattle serum.     

Distribution, endogamy, and isolation of Malas of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India

This study investigates the distribution of Malas, a scheduled caste population of Andhra Pradesh, their isolates in different eco-cultural zones, and their endogamy and isolation by marriage district. The Malas, formerly "untouchables," occupy the lowest status in the Hindu hierarchy. The sample consists of 10% of Malas from 10% of the villages in 2 taluks of Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh. 6 Mala populations--Tangala, Maladasari, Pakanati, Rampala, Murikinati, and Bommanati--live in the area. These populations show a regionality in their distribution, with very little overlapping even when 2 populations inhabit the same village. Of 885 marriages in the 6 endogamous populations, all but 3 have been contracted between individuals belonging to the same Mala group. The 3 exogamous marriages took place between Mala men and women from another caste. Such small exceptions to the general rule do not mean that the Mala populations are not breeding isolates; these 6 populations satisfy Wright's island model. The high incidence of matings between closely related populations also contributes to their genetic and breeding isolation. Consanguineous marriages range from 26.76 to 38.75%. The distance between the birth place of spouses in miles, called marriage distance, shows a range from 7.72 to 15.71 miles. Lower values mean higher population densities. Groups within each population are isolated by distance and form small overlapping Mendelian populations, approaching a stepping stone model with continuous variation of genetic traits between adjacent groups of people.     

Mycoplasma contamination of cell cultures: Incidence, sources, effects, detection, elimination, prevention

The contamination of cell cultures by mycoplasmas remains a major problem in cell culture. Mycoplasmas can produce a virtually unlimited variety of effects in the cultures they infect. These organisms are resistant to most antibiotics commonly employed in cell cultures. Here we provide a concise overview of the current knowledge on: (1) the incidence and sources of mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures, the mycoplasma species most commonly detected in cell cultures, and the effects of mycoplasmas on the function and activities of infected cell cultures; (2) the various techniques available for the detection of mycoplasmas with particular emphasis on the most reliable detection methods; (3) the various methods available for the elimination of mycoplasmas highlighting antibiotic treatment; and (4) the recommended procedures and working protocols for the detection, elimination and prevention of mycoplasma contamination. The availability of accurate, sensitive and reliable detection methods and the application of robust and successful elimination methods provide powerful means for overcoming the problem of mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of suspended solids in Lake Biwa by measuring their elemental composition of Al,Si, P,S, K,Ca, Ti,Mn, and Fe

We investigated the concentrations of particulate Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, and Fe at various areas of Lake Biwa, such as the limnetic zone in the northern basin, the offshore zone, the dredged area and Akanoi Bay in the southern basin, and reed community areas in the shore. In the wide and deep northern basin, the density of suspended solids was low, and substantial fractions of particulate Si, P, S, and Ca were biogenic matter produced by phytoplankton. In the offshore zone in the narrow and shallow southern basin, the concentration ratios of particulate Si, K, Ca, Ti, and Fe against particulate Al were almost constant throughout the year and were similar to those found in crusts. Therefore, these elements are most likely derived from terrigenous clay matter. In the dredged area where the hypolimnion became anoxic during the stratification period, the concentrations of particulate Fe, Mn, P, S, and Ca increased because of the formation of hydrous Fe and Mn oxides and Fe sulfide. In Akanoi Bay, the ratios of Mn/Al and Fe/Al were high because of the stirring of sediments enriched with Mn and Fe oxides. In the reed community areas, the concentration of suspended solids correlated well with particulate Fe and P, but not with Al or chlorophyll a; therefore these areas seem to be rich in humic organic matter enriched with P and Fe due to microbial activity. Thus, the elemental composition of suspended solids reflects the chemical, biological, and physical processes in the lake and gives us useful indices of the characteristics of the water. Received: February 5, 2001 / Accepted: August 28, 2001     

Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS

The goal of this article was to establish reference ranges of the concentration of trace elements in human serum and to compare these results with those reported by other authors. We describe the sample preparation and measurement conditions that allow the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum samples (n=110) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were determined by analyzing three reconstituted reference serum samples by comparison with other methods and by the standard addition procedure. The advantages of the ICP-MS method include short time of analysis of the elements mentioned, low detection limit, high precision, and high accuracy. Disadventages include a high risk of contamination due to the presence of some of the elements of interest in the environment, the relatively delicate sample handling, and the high cost of the equipment.     

Reference values for the concentrations of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, I,Hg, Mn,Mo, Ni,Pb, Se,and Zn in selected human tissues and body fluids

This report attempts to formulate reference ranges of elemental concentrations for 15 trace elements in selected human tissues and body fluids. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, urine, milk, liver, and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South, and Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. This survey, even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace-element scenarios around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements, such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries reflected some interesting associations for elements, such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to identify a reasonable amount of data on samples requested for this project. Regretably, for a number of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as Cu, Fe, and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted efforts by intergovernmental agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present.     

The effect of malathion,diazinon, and various concentrations of zinc,copper, nickel,lead, iron,and mercury on fish

Acute and chronic toxicity tests for malathion, diazinon, copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) were conducted. Mortalities ofBarilius vagra andCyprinus carpio (common carp) were variable but LC50-96 hr were similar for pesticides. AdultB. vagra seem to be more sensitive to malathion than juvenile carp. Both juvenile carp and adultB. vagra were extremely sensitive to diazinon. Long-term exposure to pesticides modified morphology and behavior. The LC50-96 values for Cu, Hg, and Pb were 0.3, 0.16, and 0.44, respectively, for smaller fish and 1.0, 0.77, and 1.33, respectively, for larger fish. Replicate LC50 values for Zn, Ni, and Fe were somewhat variable, and for these metals, the size of the fish seemed to affect response because LC50 values increased as fish size increased. Cooper, Pb, Zn, and Fe residues following exposure to sublethal concentrations of these metals for 15 d were significantly greater in whole juvenile common carp than in controls.     

Production, purification, characterization, and applications of lipases

Lipases (triacylglycerol acylhydrolases, EC 3.1.1.3) catalyze the hydrolysis and the synthesis of esters formed from glycerol and long-chain fatty acids. Lipases occur widely in nature, but only microbial lipases are commercially significant. The many applications of lipases include speciality organic syntheses, hydrolysis of fats and oils, modification of fats, flavor enhancement in food processing, resolution of racemic mixtures, and chemical analyses. This article discusses the production, recovery, and use of microbial lipases. Issues of enzyme kinetics, thermostability, and bioactivity are addressed. Production of recombinant lipases is detailed. Immobilized preparations of lipases are discussed. In view of the increasing understanding of lipases and their many applications in high-value syntheses and as bulk enzymes, these enzymes are having an increasing impact on bioprocessing.     

Evaluation of total contents of Al,As, Ca,Cd, Fe,K, Mg,Ni, Pb,Zn and their fractions leached to the infusions of different tea samples. A multivariate study

ABSTRACT

Total aluminum, arsenic, calcium, cadmium, iron, lead, potassium, magnesium, nickel and zinc were determined in black tea by electro thermal atomic absorption spectrometry after ultrasonic assisted pseudo-digestion with mixture of acid and oxidant. All the metals were also determined in the tea infusions in order to know the percentage of each element leached into the liquor. A conventional acid digestion on electric hot plate was used to obtain total metals under study for comparative purpose. Analytical results for Al, As, Ca, Cd, Fe, K, Mg, Ni, Pb and Zn obtained by ultrasound assisted pseudodigestion, and conventional wet digestion methods showed a good agreement, thus indicating the possibility of using ultrasonic assisted digestion sample preparation instead of intensive treatments inherent with the acid digestion methods on electric hot plate. The validity and accuracy of both procedures were checked by using certified sample of NIES No. 7 (Tea Leaves). Non significant differences were observed for P>0.05 when comparing the values obtained by both methods (paired t-test).

Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in order to determine the different amount of metals as main sources of variability in the data sets and to establish the relation between samples (branded and nonbranded tea samples) and micronutrient, trace and toxic metals (variables). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to explore the different branded and nonbranded tea samples grouping according to the essential and toxic metals as additional information to the out put obtained by PCA.     

Scaling of differentiation in networks: nervous systems,organisms, ant colonies,ecosystems, businesses,universities, cities,electronic circuits,and Legos

Nodes in networks are often of different types, and in this sense networks are differentiated. Here we examine the relationship between network differentiation and network size in networks under economic or natural selective pressure, such as electronic circuits (networks of electronic components), Legos (networks of Lego pieces), businesses (networks of employees), universities (networks of faculty), organisms (networks of cells), ant colonies (networks of ants), and nervous systems (networks of neurons). For each of these we find that (i) differentiation increases with network size, and (ii) the relationship is consistent with a power law. These results are explained by a hypothesis that, because nodes are costly to build and maintain in such "selected networks", network size is optimized, and from this the power-law relationship may be derived. The scaling exponent depends on the particular kind of network, and is determined by the degree to which nodes are used in a combinatorial fashion to carry out network-level functions. We find that networks under natural selection (organisms, ant colonies, and nervous systems) have much higher combinatorial abilities than the networks for which human ingenuity is involved (electronic circuits, Legos, businesses, and universities). A distinct but related optimization hypothesis may be used to explain scaling of differentiation in competitive networks (networks where the nodes themselves, rather than the entire network, are under selective pressure) such as ecosystems (networks of organisms).