The Bacterial (Vibrio alginolyticus) Production of Tetrodotoxin in the Ribbon Worm Lineus longissimus—Just a False Positive?

We test previous claims that the bacteria Vibrio alginolyticus produces tetrodotoxin (TTX) when living in symbiosis with the nemertean Lineus longissimus by a setup with bacteria cultivation for TTX production. Toxicity experiments on the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, demonstrated the presence of a paralytic toxin, but evidence from LC-MS and electrophysiological measurements of voltage-gated sodium channel–dependent nerve conductance in male Wistar rat tissue showed conclusively that this effect did not originate from TTX. However, a compound of similar molecular weight was found, albeit apparently non-toxic, and with different LC retention time and MS/MS fragmentation pattern than those of TTX. We conclude that C. maenas paralysis and death likely emanate from a compound <5 kDa, and via a different mechanism of action than that of TTX. The similarity in mass between TTX and the Vibrio-produced low-molecular-weight, non-toxic compound invokes that thorough analysis is required when assessing TTX production. Based on our findings, we suggest that re-examination of some published claims of TTX production may be warranted.     

蒙古绵羊脾脏多肽的酶法制备及体外抗氧化性能

探索蒙古绵羊脾蛋白的最佳酶解条件,确定最具抗氧化活性的脾肽及其分子质量。将不同饱和度硫酸铵沉淀制得的脾蛋白分别经胰蛋白酶、木瓜蛋白酶及二者混合物(质量比1∶1,下称酶混合物)水解制得脾肽,经G-25柱层析分离后,电泳确定脾肽分子质量。分别在非脂质的DPPH.和.OH体系,及脂质的卵磷脂和猪油体系中对制得的脾肽进行体外抗氧化活性试验,结果表明:60℃,pH7.0,酶混合物添加量5.0%(质量分数),5.5 h为最佳酶解条件。饱和度为60%的硫酸铵沉淀制得的脾蛋白电泳条带最多,此脾蛋白经酶混合物水解后,柱层析分离得到F1、F2、F3、F44个峰区,其中F3(分子质量6 ku)的脾肽在非脂质体系中清除.OH的作用显著(P<0.01),且随剂量的增加对非脂质体系中DPPH.的清除能力增强。在脂质的卵磷脂体系中小分子质量脾肽在浓度较低时对TBARS仍有显著抑制作用(P<0.05),但随着浓度的增大,层析后不同脾肽对其抑制作用不尽相同。在猪油体系中,小分子质量脾肽均表现出一定的抗氧化活性(P<0.05),且随着浓度的增加抗氧化活性不断增强。脾肽的抗氧化性具有广谱性。     

Total factor productivity and the factors of green industry in Shanxi Province,China

Based on industrial panel data from 11 prefecture-level cities in Shanxi Province from 2008 to 2016, two kinds of total factor productivity (TFP) are measured: With and without the consideration of environmental factors. The specific decomposition of TFP under these two conditions is then discussed. Finally, the factors of TFP are studied in a green industry context. The results indicate the following: (a) The TFP's annual growth rate considering environmental conditions is higher than that without such consideration; (b) if environmental factors are neglected, TFP improvements primarily depend on technological progress; (c) when considering environmental factors, both technological progress and improved technological efficiency promote the growth of green TFP (GTFP), but this still primarily depends on substantial technological progress, with an annual average growth rate that reaches 10.2%; and (d) among factors, the economic development level, degree of openness, and urbanization positively correlate with the GTFP, while the industrial structure and degree of informatization significantly and negatively correlate with GTFP.     

Large-scale noninvasive genetic monitoring of wolverines using scats reveals density dependent adult survival

Noninvasive genetic monitoring has the potential to estimate vital rates essential for conservation and management of many species. In a long-term genetic capture-mark-recapture study using scats we evaluated temporal variation in adult survival in a wolverine (Gulo gulo) population in southern Norway. In contrast to most previous studies of large mammals we found evidence for negative density dependence in adult survival in this large carnivore. Both sexes showed the same pattern of density dependence, with higher annual survival rates in adult females than males. In addition, we also found an additive mortality effect of harvesting in the population, resulting in the lowest adult survival rates at a combination of high population density and high harvest rate. The additive effects of density and harvest on adult survival of wolverines have relevance to the conservation and management of solitary carnivores with strong intrasexual territoriality, especially for species where combats among conspecifics can cause serious injury or even mortality.     

San andreas fault zone head waves near parkfield, california

Microearthquake seismograms from the borehole seismic network on the San Andreas fault near Parkfield, California, provide three lines of evidence that first P arrivals are "head" waves refracted along the cross-fault material contrast. First, the travel time difference between these arrivals and secondary phases identified as direct P waves scales linearly with the source-receiver distance. Second, these arrivals have the emergent wave character associated in theory and practice with refracted head waves instead of the sharp first breaks associated with direct P arrivals. Third, the first motion polarities of the emergent arrivals are reversed from those of the direct P waves as predicted by the theory of fault zone head waves for slip on the San Andreas fault. The presence of fault zone head waves in local seismic network data may help account for scatter in earthquake locations and source mechanisms. The fault zone head waves indicate that the velocity contrast across the San Andreas fault near Parkfield is approximately 4 percent. Further studies of these waves may provide a way of assessing changes in the physical state of the fault system.     

NEAR at eros: imaging and spectral results

Eros is a very elongated (34 kilometers by 11 kilometers by 11 kilometers) asteroid, most of the surface of which is saturated with craters smaller than 1 kilometer in diameter. The largest crater is 5.5 kilometers across, but there is a 10-kilometer saddle-like depression with attributes of a large degraded crater. Surface lineations, both grooves and ridges, are prominent on Eros; some probably exploit planes of weakness produced by collisions on Eros and/or its parent body. Ejecta blocks (30 to 100 meters across) are abundant but not uniformly distributed over the surface. Albedo variations are restricted to the inner walls of certain craters and may be related to downslope movement of regolith. On scales of 200 meters to 1 kilometer, Eros is more bland in terms of color variations than Gaspra or Ida. Spectra (800 to 2500 nanometers) are consistent with an ordinary chondrite composition for which the measured mean density of 2.67 +/- 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter implies internal porosities ranging from about 10 to 30 percent.     

Tectonics and evolution of venus

The global tectonics of Venus differs significantly from that of Earth, most markedly in that the surface is covered predominately by gently rolling terrain; there apparently are no features like ocean rises; the gravity is positively correlated with topography at all wavelengths; and the few highlands are estimated to be supported or compensated at a depth of approximately 100 kilometers. The surface of Venus appears to be covered mainly by an ancient crust, the high surface temperature making subduction difficult. It seems likely that well over 1 billion years ago water was destabilized at the surface and, soon after, plate tectonics ceased. The highlands appear to be actively supported, presumably as manifestations of long-enduring hot spots.     

Sedimentary rocks of early Mars

Layered and massive outcrops on Mars, some as thick as 4 kilometers, display the geomorphic attributes and stratigraphic relations of sedimentary rock. Repeated beds in some locations imply a dynamic depositional environment during early martian history. Subaerial (such as eolian, impact, and volcaniclastic) and subaqueous processes may have contributed to the formation of the layers. Affinity for impact craters suggests dominance of lacustrine deposition; alternatively, the materials were deposited in a dry, subaerial setting in which atmospheric density, and variations thereof mimic a subaqueous depositional environment. The source regions and transport paths for the materials are not preserved.     

The Spirit Rover's Athena science investigation at Gusev Crater, Mars

The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit and its Athena science payload have been used to investigate a landing site in Gusev crater. Gusev is hypothesized to be the site of a former lake, but no clear evidence for lacustrine sedimentation has been found to date. Instead, the dominant lithology is basalt, and the dominant geologic processes are impact events and eolian transport. Many rocks exhibit coatings and other characteristics that may be evidence for minor aqueous alteration. Any lacustrine sediments that may exist at this location within Gusev apparently have been buried by lavas that have undergone subsequent impact disruption.