The evaluation of inorganic phosphate species in salt water lake sediments

Abstract

Surface sediments drawn from 10 shallow bays have been subjected to selective extraction in order to sub-divide the total P content into sub-categories such as water soluble P, Ca-P, Al-P and Fe-P. The reagents selected were similar to systems used in soil analysis, but evaluation of the procedures showed that the species values varied with time of extraction, weight of sediment taken, volume of extradant and chemical nature of the sediment. In water extractions, the P levels appeared to be determined by saturation with a sparingly soluble salt, while in acidic media P extract levels peaked (using different experimental conditions) due to loss of extracted P as a new phase (e.g. CaHPO₄) or through re-adsorption on other components.

The optimum conditions for P speciation in sediments must be determined from a series of preliminary studies because each of the five sediments studied in detail displayed individual characteristic behaviour.     

The lability of zinc humate species

Abstract

At low pH, interaction between zinc(II) ions and humic acids yields sparingly soluble surface complexes; in alkaline conditions there are soluble complexes which differ in stability, stoichiometry and lability. The distribution of zinc between ‘fixed’, ‘non-labile’ and ‘labile’ complex forms at different pH values has been evaluated by equilibrating Zn-loaded humic acid (20 to 300 nmol μmol^?1) with ion exchange resins of different types (and counter ion forms). Analysis of the supernatant aqueous phase determined the non-labile soluble zinc content (at the equilibrium pH); the ‘labile’ fraction value was found by back-extracting the washed resins into 0.05 M EDTA (pH 7). When the system pH was <6, about 5% was released as a soluble non-labile complex and the majority of the Zn remained firmly fixed to the solid phase. Above pH 6, the substrate dissolved and the percentage present as non-labile species increased from 5 to 70% as the pH changed from 5 to 8.5. Around pH 7, the labile content peaked at around 90%, but this fraction value dropped to ?20% at pH 8.5 (due in part to a lower affinity of zinc for the functional groups on the resin involved). The type of synthetic exchanger used controlled both the system pH and the degree of complex dissociation. The distribution pattern was also influenced by the amount of Zn(II) sorbed on the substrate, the initial weight of humic acid present, and the mixing time (dissolution of the solid phase was slow in acid media). While the ratio of fixed to soluble forms could control migration of the metal ion in environmental systems, it is the labile content which is more likely to be ‘available’ to living matter.     

新疆中天山汗吉尕组Helenifore robustum放射虫动物群及其年代地层学意义

汗吉尕组是新疆中天山温泉小区中泥盆统的一个地层单元,为海相碎屑岩夹火山碎屑岩沉积。过去在灰岩团块和灰岩砾石中发现较为丰富的中泥盆世珊瑚和腕足类化石。这次,我们在该组上部地层硅质岩透镜体中首次发现晚泥盆世弗拉晚期的放射虫Helenifore robustum动物群。对于温泉地区该组地层的时代归属,我们认为:由于已发现的中泥盆世珊瑚、腕足类化石主要产于灰岩砾石或外来块体中,因此,这些化石的时代并不代表该组形成的时代;而产于硅质岩透镜体中的晚泥盆世弗拉晚期的放射虫化石很可能代表该组的年代。全文共描述放射虫5属11种,归属3目4科。     

激光显微切割技术用于子宫内膜异位组织DNA的提取及其完整性分析

目的：探索一套激光显微切割（LCM）分离子宫内膜异位症腺体细胞后提取微量DNA并进行完整性分析的操作流程。方法：分别对20例石蜡标本及20例冰冻标本进行LCM,收集切割后的腺体细胞;2组标本各取10例提取微量DNA,检测DNA浓度并通过PCR扩增进行验证;余20例标本分别进行全基因组扩增,检测产物浓度并利用8种常见管家基因作为引物通过PCR扩增进行验证,对比分析其结果。结果：石蜡标本与冰冻标本在LCM获取腺体细胞及提取微量DNA两个环节中均可获得满意效果;但经全基因组扩增后,石蜡标本无法保留完整DNA信息。结论：LCM获取子宫内膜异位症腺体细胞提取微量DNA是一种操作简单、结果稳定的方法,可作为日后子宫内膜异位症基因组研究的常规方法;冰冻切片相对石蜡切片,更能保留完整的DNA信息。     

Effect of juvenile hormone on senescence in males with terminal investment

Senescence, a decline in survival and reproductive prospects with age, is controlled by hormones. In insects, juvenile hormone (JH) is involved in senescence with captive individuals, but its effect under natural conditions is unknown. We have addressed this gap by increasing JH levels in young and old wild males of the damselfly Hetaerina americana. We assessed survival in males that were treated with a JH analogue (methoprene), which is known to promote sexual activity, and an immune challenge, which is known to promote terminal investment in reproduction in the studied species. We replicated the same procedure in captivity (to control for environmental variation), where males were deprived of any activity or food. We expected old males to show the lowest survival after being treated with JH and immune‐challenged, because the effect of terminal investment on senescence would be exacerbated by JH. However, this should be the case for wild animals, but not for captive animals, as the effects of JH and immune challenge should lead to an increase in high energetic‐demanding activities only occurring in the wild. Old animals died sooner compared with young animals in both the wild and captivity, confirming that males are subject to senescence. In wild but not captive animals, JH decreased survival in young males and increased it in old males, confirming that JH is sensitive to the environment when shaping animal senescence. Immune challenge had no effect on survival, suggesting no effect of terminal investment on senescence. Additionally, contrary to the expected effects of terminal investment, with an immune challenge, recapture rates increased in young males and decreased in old males. Our results show that male senescence in the wild is mediated by JH and that terminal investment does not cause senescence. One explanation is that animals undergoing senescence and terminal investment modify their feeding behaviour to compensate for their physiological state.     

Computational techniques for using insole pressure sensors to analyse three-dimensional joint kinetics

This study evaluated the feasibility of using insole pressure sensors together with whole body dynamics to analyse joint kinetics while running. Local affine transformations of shoe kinematics were first used to track the position of insole sensors during locomotion. Centre of pressure estimates derived from the insoles were within 10 mm of forceplate measures through much of stance, while vertical force estimates were within 15% of peak forceplate recordings. Insole data were then coupled with a least squares whole body dynamic model to obtain shear force estimates that were comparable to forceplate records during running. We demonstrated that these techniques provide a viable approach for analysing joint kinetics when running on uninstrumented surfaces.     

A computationally efficient optimisation-based method for parameter identification of kinematically determinate and over-determinate biomechanical systems

This paper introduces a general optimisation-based method for identification of biomechanically relevant parameters in kinematically determinate and over-determinate systems from a given motion. The method is designed to find a set of parameters that is constant over the time frame of interest as well as the time-varying system coordinates, and it is particularly relevant for biomechanical motion analysis where the system parameters can be difficult to accurately determine by direct measurements. Although the parameter identification problem results in a large-scale optimisation problem, we show that, due to a special structure in the linearised Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions, the solution can be found very efficiently. The method is applied to a set of test problems relevant for gait analysis. These involve determining the local coordinates of markers placed on the model, segment lengths and joint axes of rotation from both gait and range of motion experiments.     

Dynamic accuracy of inertial measurement units during simple pendulum motion

A motion measurement system based on inertial measurement units (IMUs) has been suggested as an alternative to contemporary video motion capture. This paper reports an investigation into the accuracy of IMUs in estimating 3D orientation during simple pendulum motion. The IMU vendor's (XSens Technologies) accuracy claim of 3° root mean squared (RMS) error is tested. IMUs are integrated electronic devices that contain accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes. The motion of a pendulum swing was measured using both IMUs and video motion capture as a reference. The IMU raw data were processed by the Kalman filter algorithm supplied by the vendor and a custom fusion algorithm developed by the authors. The IMU measurement of pendulum motion using the vendor's Kalman filter algorithm did not compare well with the video motion capture with a RMS error of between 8.5° and 11.7° depending on the length and type of pendulum swing. The maximum orientation error was greater than 30°, occurring approximately eight seconds into the motion. The custom fusion algorithm estimation of orientation compared well with the video motion capture with a RMS error of between 0.8° and 1.3°. Future research should concentrate on developing a general purpose fusion algorithm and vendors of IMUs should provide details about the errors to be expected in different measurement situations, not just those in a ‘best case’ scenario.     

Enantiostyly in Chamaecrista ramosa (Fabaceae‐Caesalpinioideae): floral morphology,pollen transfer dynamics and breeding system

Enantiostyly is a form of reciprocal herkogamy, in which floral morphs present reciprocal differences in the position of sexual elements, and occurs in monomorphic and dimorphic forms. This polymorphism maximises cross‐pollination and reduces self‐pollination, being very common within the subtribe Cassiinae (Fabaceae). Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the functionality of enantiostyly, particularly in this plant group. The present study aimed to investigate enantiostyly and its functionality in Chamaecrista ramosa, a monomorphic enantiostylous shrub, in an area of coastal vegetation in northeast Brazil. Pollen deposition and capture on the body of floral visitors, the relationship of these data with floral biology and breeding system, and morph ratio were evaluated. Pollen deposition and capture occurred in specific sites of the floral visitor body, showing the functionality of enantiostyly. The floral architecture, associated with the floral visitor behaviour, resulted in indirect pollen deposition on the floral visitor body. This occurred through a loop made by the pollen upon the inner petal surface, similar that generally reported for other Cassiinae. Chamaecrista ramosa is self‐compatible, although no fruit set was observed through spontaneous self‐pollination. The occurrence and number of floral morphs was similar within clumps. Enantiostyly seems to be advantageous for this species, as it results in efficient pollen capture and deposition, reduces the chances of autogamy and maximises intermorph pollen flow.