Action of lipolytical enzymes in biphasic organic-aqueous systems: dynamics of the irreversible Michaelis-Menten reaction

Through simple model analysis, the mass action kinetic model for lipolytic enzymes in biphasic aqueous-organic systems can be simplified using the quasi-steady state assumption (or the quasi-equilibrium state assumption) for the adsorbed enzyme E* or the enzyme-substrate complex E*S. Some parameter combinations leading to the above assumptions are derived confirmed by full numerical integration of the whole enzymatic process. The results may be classified into three categories: (1) the quasi-equilibrium state assumption for E*, (2) the quasi-steady state assumption for E*, and (3) the quasi-steady state assumption for E*S. Further simplification for both E* and E*S is also discussed. (c) 1993 Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The dynamics and retention of phosphorus in lentic and lotic patches of two river-lake systems

Two river-lake systems in a mosaic, lowland postglacial landscape (Masurian and Suwalskie Lakelands, northeastern Poland) of different length and flow were studied. The concentration of total and dissolved phosphorus (in water and in seston) and the retention of these two forms of P were analysed at several hydrological occasions in lakes of various morphometry and trophy, and in several stream fragments. The concentration and retention is equally highly variable in lake (lentic patches) and stream fragments (lotic patches) of the system. The polluted stream fragments at all occassions as well as the lakes in summer, are mainly exporting phoshorus. The patches which act as sources occur alternatively with patches which are P-sinks. This makes the whole system more or less balanced with respect to P movement in the landscape.     

Management of land/inland water ecotones: needs for regional approaches to achieve sustainable ecological systems

Evidence suggests that the boundaries between rivers, floodplain wetlands, and adjacent upland communities are among the most important components of landscapes. In a landscape context, floodplain wetlands and their ecotones are important transition zones between uplands and aquatic ecosystems. Management of wetland patches and ecotones to achieve sustainable ecosystems requires action on a broad scale, giving consideration to all factors affecting wetlands and the drainage basins of which they are a part. In northeastern United States, a struggle to identify new sources of water has focussed attention on the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.     

Diffuse serotoninergic neurohemal systems associated with cerebral and suboesophageal nerves in the head of the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata

We analyzed the anatomy of two diffuse neurohemal systems for serotonin in the head of the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata by means of immunohistochemistry. One system is formed by axons from two bilateral pairs of neurons in the frontal margin of the suboesophageal ganglion that enter the ipsilateral mandibular nerve, emerge from this nerve at some distance from the suboesophageal ganglion, and cover all branches of the mandibular nerve with a dense plexus of immunoreactive axon swellings. The other system is formed by axons from two large neurons in the frontal ganglion that enter the ipsilateral frontal connectives, emerge from these connectives, and form a network of axon swellings on the labroforntal, pharyngeal, and antennal nerves and on the surface of the frontal ganglion. Immunohistochemical electron microscopy demonstrated that the axon swellings are located outside the neural sheaths of the nerves and hence in close contact with the hemolymph. We therefore suggest that these plexuses represent extensive neurohemal systems for serotonin. Most immunoreactive terminals are in direct contact with the hemolymph, and other terminals are closely associated with the muscles of the mandibles, labrum, and anterior pharynx, as well as with the salivary glands, indicating that these organs are under serotoninergic control.     

Three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems: Now is the time to refocus

Now is the time to refocus efforts in urban research and design. A changing climate and extreme weather events are presenting unique challenges to urban systems around the world. These challenges illuminate the social barriers that accompany disruptive events such as resource inequities and injustices. In this perspective, we provide three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems that help to address these matters. The three research priorities are: (1) social equity and justice, (2) circularity, and (3) digital twins. Conceptual context and future research directions are provided for each. For social equity and justice, the future directions are mandatory equity analysis and inclusionary practices, understanding and reconciling historical injustices, and intentional integration with diverse community stakeholders. For circularity applications, they are better metrics for integration, more robust evaluation frameworks, and dynamic modeling at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Future directions for digital twins include developing principles to reduce complexity, integrating model and system components, and reducing barriers to data access. These research priorities are core to meeting several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., 1—No Poverty, 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10—Reduced Inequalities, and 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities). Useful social and technical matters are discussed throughout, where we highlight the importance of prioritizing localized research efforts, provide guidance for community-engaged research and co-development practices, and explain how these priorities interact to align with the evolving field of industrial ecology.     

A matter of timing: System requirements for repair and their temporal dimensions

Research into repair within the circular economy (CE) typically focuses on technical aspects of design, policy, and markets, and often assumes simplified conditions for the user/owner and the product system to explain the barriers to scaling repair activities. However, factors occurring at pre-use stages of the product's life cycle can significantly influence whether, and to what extent, repair is viable or possible, that is, warranty duration, after-sale service provision, and access to necessities. The passing of time can directly and indirectly affect the ability, difficulty, and thus, the likelihood of repair activities being performed at each stage of the product's life cycle. Drawing from the literature and applying inductive systems-thinking tools, we propose a framework for considering the “System of Repairability.” We delineate how the passing of time (temporal dimensions) affects one's ‘‘ability to repair,’’ as a product progresses through different life cycle phases (i.e., breakdown vs. repair vs. disposal), and the point(s) at which the repair is considered or attempted (i.e., year of usage). By integrating life cycle and temporal (time-based) dimensions into a broad System of Repairability framework, we clarify relevant interconnections, iterations, sequences, and timing of decision points, stakeholders, and necessary conditions to facilitate an outcome of successful repair at the individual level, and thus intervention strategies for scaling repair within CE. We discuss how a policy mix can address the life cycle of products and the repair system more holistically. We conclude with a future outlook on how temporal dimensions can inform policy strategies and future research.     

Divergence in male mating tactics between two populations of the soapberry bug: I. Guarding versus nonguarding

I compared male allocation to prolonged mate guarding versusnot guarding between two populations of the soapberry bug (Jaderahaematoloma) that differ in adult sex ratio: Oklahoma, USA (mean± SD adult sex ratio, 2.70 ± 0.95 males per female),and Florida, USA (1.09 ± 0.26 males per female). To predictthe reproductive performance of each mating tactic in each population,I collected data on search time per mating, time required forguarding to be effective, sperm competition, female rematingpropensity, and female resistance to guarding. Search time alonediffered significantly between the populations, being much greaterin Oklahoma (estimated as 26.2 h per mate) than in Florida (estimatedas 9.6 h per mate). For males in each region, these data wereused to model the costs and benefits of guarding for differentnumbers of oviposition bouts versus not guarding. The reproductiverate of nonguarders in Oklahoma is exceeded by that of guarderswho remain with a female for more than one oviposition bout,but in Florida, the reproductive rate of nonguarders is onlyexceeded by that of guarders who remain with a female for atleast three ovipositions. Consistent with the model, Oklahomamales in field arenas guarded more frequently than did Floridamales. However, nonguarding was common in both populations,and guarding durations were highly variable.     

Suppression of mitochondrial alternative oxidase can result in upregulation of the ROS scavenging network: some possible mechanisms underlying the compensation effect

Mitochondrial alternative oxidase is an important protein involved in maintaining cellular metabolic and energy balance, especially under stress conditions. AOX genes knockout is aimed at revealing the functions of AOX genes. Under unfavourable conditions, AOX-suppressed plants (mainly based on Arabidopsis AOX1a-knockout lines) usually experience strong oxidative stress. However, a compensation effect, which consists of the absence of AOX1a leading to an increase in defence response mechanisms, concomitant with a decrease in ROS content, has also been demonstrated. This review briefly describes the possible mechanisms underlying the compensation effect upon the suppression of AOX1a. Information about mitochondrial retrograde regulation of AOX is given. The importance of ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential in triggering the signal transmission from mitochondria in the absence of AOX or disturbance of mitochondrial electron transport chain functions is indicated. The few available data on the response of the cell to the absence of AOX at the level of changes in the hormonal balance and the reactions of chloroplasts are presented. The decrease in the relative amount of reduced ascorbate at stable ROS levels as a result of compensation in AOX1a-suppressed plants is proposed as a sign of stress development. Obtaining direct evidence on the mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in AOX modulation in the genome should facilitate a deeper understanding of the role of AOX in the integration of cellular signalling pathways.     

The population-dynamic functions of seed dispersal

We summarize some of the population-dynamic consequences of the mosaic structure of plant populations for the evolution of seed dispersal. A fairly elaborated set of theoretical ideas exist regarding the evolution of dispersal and we have synthesized some of them in an attempt to make them more accessible to field ecologists. We consider the relationship of these general theoretical ideas to our understanding of fruit and seed dispersal.We develop three related models to describe the similarities and differences in how dispersal functions for risk reduction (bet hedging), escaping the negative consequences of crowding, and escaping high concentrations of relatives. We also briefly discuss directed dispersal as a fourth population-dynamic aspect of dispersal. Dispersal can have a risk-reducing function only when there is global (metapopulation) temporal variance in success. Dispersal to escape the negative consequences of crowding requires only spatial and local temporal environmental variation. Dispersal for escaping high concentrations of relatives requires no environmental variation, but does require genetic population structure. Directed dispersal, defined as non-random into particular patch types contingent on the expectation of local success, is always valuable when possible and represents an advantage independent the others which can occur with random dispersal.In an effort to accommodate for the differences between simple mathematical models and the behavior of complex natural fruit and seed dispersal systems we have discussed the following issues: actual patterns of patch structure and dispersal distance; the implications of plant cosexuality, perenniality, and allocation costs of dispersal structures; and the impact of the detailed nature of density dependence, breeding systems, and genetic structure. We briefly compare the population-dynamic functions of dispersal presented here with the widely cited functions of colonization, escape, and directed dispersal. Finally, we suggest how the theoretical models can be used with field data to estimate the fitness consequences of dispersal.     

Dynamic genome-scale modeling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae unravels mechanisms for ester formation during alcoholic fermentation

Fermentation employing Saccharomyces cerevisiae has produced alcoholic beverages and bread for millennia. More recently, S. cerevisiae has been used to manufacture specific metabolites for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Among the most important of these metabolites are compounds associated with desirable aromas and flavors, including higher alcohols and esters. Although the physiology of yeast has been well-studied, its metabolic modulation leading to aroma production in relevant industrial scenarios such as winemaking is still unclear. Here we ask what are the underlying metabolic mechanisms that explain the conserved and varying behavior of different yeasts regarding aroma formation under enological conditions? We employed dynamic flux balance analysis (dFBA) to answer this key question using the latest genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) of S. cerevisiae. The model revealed several conserved mechanisms among wine yeasts, for example, acetate ester formation is dependent on intracellular metabolic acetyl-CoA/CoA levels, and the formation of ethyl esters facilitates the removal of toxic fatty acids from cells using CoA. Species-specific mechanisms were also found, such as a preference for the shikimate pathway leading to more 2-phenylethanol production in the Opale strain as well as strain behavior varying notably during the carbohydrate accumulation phase and carbohydrate accumulation inducing redox restrictions during a later cell growth phase for strain Uvaferm. In conclusion, our new metabolic model of yeast under enological conditions revealed key metabolic mechanisms in wine yeasts, which will aid future research strategies to optimize their behavior in industrial settings.