The oxidant-responsive diaphorase of Rhodobacter capsulatus is a ferredoxin (flavodoxin)-NADP(H) reductase

Challenge of Rhodobacter capsulatus cells with the superoxide propagator methyl viologen resulted in the induction of a diaphorase activity identified as a member of the ferredoxin (flavodoxin)-(reduced) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP(H)) reductase (FPR) family by N-terminal sequencing. The gene coding for Rhodobacter FPR was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Both native and recombinant forms of the enzyme were purified to homogeneity rendering monomeric products of approximately 30 kDa with essentially the same spectroscopic and kinetic properties. They were able to bind and reduce Rhodobacter flavodoxin (NifF) and to mediate typical FPR activities such as the NADPH-driven diaphorase and cytochrome c reductase.     

Cu3P Binary Phosphide: Synthesis via a Wet Mechanochemical Method and Electrochemical Behavior as Negative Electrode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Mechanochemical synthesis of Cu₃P in the presence of n‐dodecane results in a material with a secondary particle size distribution of 10 μm, secondary particles which consist of homogeneously agglomerated 20 nm primary particles. The electrochemical performance of Cu₃P with lithium is influenced by the reaction depth, in other words by the lower potential cut‐off. During the electrochemical reaction, the displacement of copper by lithium from the Cu₃P structure until the formation of Li₃P and Cu deteriorates the capacity retention. Improved performance was obtained when the charge potential was limited to 0.50 V (vs. Li/Li⁺) and the formation of the Li_xCu_3‐xP phase (0 ≤ × ≤ 2). In this case, when the potential is limited to 0.5 V, the capacity is stable for more than 50 cycles. Acceptable electrochemical performances in Li‐ion cells within the voltage range 0.50–2.0 V (vs. Li/Li⁺) were shown when Cu₃P was used as an anode and Li_1.2(Ni_0.13Mn_0.54Co_0.13)O₂ and LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ as positive electrode materials.     

Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation in the Presence of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) by Two Different Lithotrophs

The anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing activity of the planctomycete Candidatus “Brocadia anammoxidans” was not inhibited by NO concentrations up to 600 ppm and NO₂ concentrations up to 100 ppm. B. anammoxidans was able to convert (detoxify) NO, which might explain the high NO tolerance of this organism. In the presence of NO₂, the specific ammonia oxidation activity of B. anammoxidans increased, and Nitrosomonas-like microorganisms recovered an NO₂-dependent anaerobic ammonia oxidation activity. Addition of NO₂ to a mixed population of B. anammoxidans and Nitrosomonas induced simultaneous specific anaerobic ammonia oxidation activities of up to 5.5 mmol of NH₄⁺ g of protein⁻¹ h⁻¹ by B. anammoxidans and up to 1.5 mmol of NH₄⁺ g of protein⁻¹ h⁻¹ by Nitrosomonas. The stoichiometry of the converted N compounds (NO₂⁻/NH₃ ratio) and the microbial community structure were strongly influenced by NO₂. The combined activity of B. anammoxidans and Nitrosomonas-like ammonia oxidizers might be of relevance in natural environments and for technical applications.     

Monitoring attributes for ecological restoration in Latin America and the Caribbean region

Ecological restoration is becoming mainstreamed worldwide but target ecosystems' responses to restorative interventions are not sufficiently monitored, in terms of the wide range of ecological, social, and economic attributes available. In order to highlight and better understand this problem, we conducted a literature review of the ecological, social, and economic attributes cited in the scientific literature used for monitoring the success of ecological restoration projects in Latin America and the Caribbean region, where no regional study of this kind has previously been conducted. In 84 of the 91 articles retained for the study, ecological indicators were evaluated, while only seven articles included measurements of socioeconomic indicators. Regarding the Society for Ecological Restoration Primer attributes of restored ecosystems, we only found indicators measuring attributes 1–6, with attribute 1 (species assemblages) predominating (73%), followed by physical conditions (54%) and ecological functions (51%). Brazil was the country in the region where most monitoring was being carried out (51% of the articles), and tropical rainforest (33%) and tropical dry forest (25%) were the ecosystem types where ecological restoration was most frequently monitored. Highly vulnerable ecosystems such as mangroves and paramos were underrepresented. Attributes related to ecosystem stability or to governance and education of communities were not monitored at all. More real long‐term monitoring, instead of chronosequences, is needed, especially where understanding socioeconomic implications of, and barriers to, effective ecological restoration is a top priority.     

Open-field behaviour in chickens: A replication revisited

In an attempt to show that the open field can still be used as a valid measure of fear, Jones (1983) has reported a failure to replicate some of our findings. The present studies show that this was due to procedural and methodological differences. For instance, we found that birds tested in a novel environment behaved quite differently from those, as in Jones' case, which were placed in one resembling the home cage. Moreover, birds housed in isolation for two days prior to testing reacted differently than those, as again in Jones' case, which were reared in isolation from hatching to the time of testing. The results were interpreted as being consistent with our view that open-field behaviour reflects a conflict between the need to reinstate contact with conspecifics on the one hand, and evade predation on the other.     

Cognitive Functions in Middle Aged Individuals Are Related to Metabolic Disturbances and Aerobic Capacity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aims

Metabolic disturbances may contribute to cognitive dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. We investigated the relation between cognitive impairment and metabolic deteriorations, low physical fitness, low-grade inflammation and abdominal obesity in middle aged individuals.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study including 40 to 65 year-old patients with type 2 diabetes and limited co morbidity (N = 56), age-matched individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (N = 56) as well as age-matched controls with normal glucose tolerance (N = 72). Specific cognitive functions were assessed with focus on verbal memory, processing speed, executive functions, and a composite overall mean score. Oral glucose tolerance test, VO₂max test, systemic inflammation, DXA scanning and abdominal MRI were measured.

Results

Multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for age, gender and verbal intelligence demonstrated that a low score in processing speed, executive functions and overall cognitive function were related to high fasting C-peptide, as well as low insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function and VO₂max. Measurements of blood glucose, obesity and inflammation were not associated with cognitive function.

Conclusion

Low cognitive scores are seen in middle aged individuals with hyperinsulinemia, low insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function and low aerobic capacity. These findings emphasize the importance of appropriate lifestyle and not only blood glucose control in prevention of cognitive disability.     

Maximum realised lifetime parasitism and occurrence of time limitation in Gonatocerus ashmeadi (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) foraging in citrus orchards

The relationship between body size (hind tibia length), <12 h egg load, wing wear and parasitoid age was used to estimate realised lifetime parasitism of recently dead Gonatocerus ashmeadi collected in a citrus orchard. Under prevailing field conditions and methodology assumptions, it was estimated that female G. ashmeadi lived on average for 183 ± 17 degree-days, parasitised a total of 87 ± 9 Homalodisca vitripennis eggs, and died with 34 ± 5 eggs remaining in the ovaries. Only 17% of dead G. ashmeadi died with no mature eggs suggesting that 83% of G. ashmeadi were not egg limited at time of death. Estimates of realised lifetime parasitism for female G. ashmeadi under prevailing field conditions in July and August in a southern California citrus orchard indicated that time of year had a significant effect on reproductive output. Additionally, live G. ashmeadi captured daily during June through August 2006 had body size, egg load and wing wear recorded to detect possible monthly changes in parasitoid age and egg load. Foraging G. ashmeadi captured alive in June were older and oviposited more eggs in the field compared with August. Only 0.5% of live G. ashmeadi were captured with no mature eggs in their ovaries indicating that the vast majority of live G. ashmeadi were not egg limited.     

The consumption of out-of-home highbrow leisure by ethnicity and national origin: attendance at museums and live theatres in Houston

Dynamics of compensation for the deprivations of segregation and discrimination, and the support of multiculturalism derived from ethnic cohesion explain the consumption of out-of-home highbrow leisure events by minority/ethnic individuals, immigrants, and their descendants as efforts toward their integration and assimilation in metropolitan areas. Using data from the Houston Area Survey, I examine whether there are any significant ethnic disparities in the attendance at museums and live theatres, which represent a relevant dimension of out-of-home highbrow leisure in Houston. I found that the odds of frequently attending museums and live theatres are lower for Anglos compared with non-Anglos, and higher for US-born individuals with at least one foreign parent compared with US-born individuals with US-born parents. These findings reveal that the audiences of museums and live theatres in Houston are already characterized by a noteworthy ethnic diversity.