Femtosecond dynamics of electron localization at interfaces

The dynamics of two-dimensional small-polaron formation at ultrathin alkane layers on a silver(111) surface have been studied with femtosecond time- and angle-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy. Optical excitation creates interfacial electrons in quasi-free states for motion parallel to the interface. These initially delocalized electrons self-trap as small polarons in a localized state within a few hundred femtoseconds. The localized electrons then decay back to the metal within picoseconds by tunneling through the adlayer potential barrier. The energy dependence of the self-trapping rate has been measured and modeled with a theory analogous to electron transfer theory. This analysis determines the inter- and intramolecular vibrational modes of the overlayer responsible for self-trapping as well as the relaxation energy of the overlayer molecular lattice. These results for a model interface contribute to the fundamental picture of electron behavior in weakly bonded solids and can lead to better understanding of carrier dynamics in many different systems, including organic light-emitting diodes.     

Pre‐Columbian fisheries catch reconstruction for a subtropical estuary in South America

Small‐scale fisheries provide food and livelihoods for thousands of people along the Brazilian coastline. However, considerable uncertainties still surround the extent to which artisanal and subsistence fisheries contribute to the total of national landings and their historical ecological significance. Fisheries monitoring is deficient in Brazil, and historical records are limited to irregular accounts spanning the last few decades, while this coastline has supported human populations for at least 6,000 years. Here, we estimate pre‐Columbian subsistence catches for a large subtropical estuary in southern Brazil. Our results suggest that prehistoric populations may have extracted volumes of fish biomass higher than or comparable with historical subsistence fisheries in the region, and that the latter is likely underestimated. If a long‐term perspective is required to evaluate the current economic value and status of fisheries in subtropical and tropical South America, this should go beyond the historical time interval and integrate the contribution of pre‐Columbian archaeology.     

Uterine adenomyosis in an orang-utan (Pongo abelii/pygmaeus)

A 48-year-old, multiparous, female hybrid orang-utan ( Pongo abelii/pygmaeus ) was investigated after a 3-year history of irregular and excessively heavy menstrual bleeding. Opportunistic pelvic examinations over a 2.5-year period were non-diagnostic. Medical therapy was not effective. A subtotal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-ovariectomy was performed. A pedunculated mass spanning 90% of the uterine lumen was seen grossly, and histopathology confirmed uterine adenomyosis. Adenomyosis is defined as the ectopic occurrence or diffuse implantation of endometrial tissue, including glands and stroma, into the myometrium. It is common in older, usually premenopausal, multiparous women and is frequently associated with other uterine pathology, including endometrial hyperplasia and leiomyomas. The most common clinical signs are dysmenorrhoea and heavy menstrual bleeding; however, up to 35% of women are asymptomatic. Diagnosis is difficult and requires myometrial sampling and an experienced pathologist. A hysterectomy in this case was diagnostic and curative. There have been few reports of uterine adenomyosis in non-human primates and none reported in an orang-utan. Uterine adenomyosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any multiparous, aged, non-human female primate with irregular and excessively heavy menstrual bleeding, and hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-ovariectomy is recommended as a diagnostic and therapeutic solution.     

Mixotrophy in a Local Strain of Nannochloropsis granulata for Renewable High-Value Biomass Production on the West Coast of Sweden

A local strain of Nannochloropsis granulata (Ng) has been reported as the most productive microalgal strain in terms of both biomass yield and lipid content when cultivated in photobioreactors that simulate the light and temperature conditions during the summer on the west coast of Sweden. To further increase the biomass and the biotechnological potential of this strain in these conditions, mixotrophic growth (i.e., the simultaneous use of photosynthesis and respiration) with glycerol as an external carbon source was investigated in this study and compared with phototrophic growth that made use of air enriched with 1–2% CO₂. The addition of either glycerol or CO₂-enriched air stimulated the growth of Ng and theproduction of high-value long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA) as well as the carotenoid canthaxanthin. Bioassays in human prostate cell lines indicated the highest antitumoral activity for Ng extracts and fractions from mixotrophic conditions. Metabolomics detected betaine lipids specifically in the bioactive fractions, suggesting their involvement in the observed antitumoral effect. Genes related to autophagy were found to be upregulated by the most bioactive fraction, suggesting a possible therapeutic target against prostate cancer progression. Taken together, our results suggest that the local Ng strain can be cultivated mixotrophically in summer conditions on the west coast of Sweden for the production of high-value biomass containing antiproliferative compounds, carotenoids, and EPA.     

Migration of eels tagged in the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren—in the context of the stocking question

Eels (Anguilla spp.) are in decline worldwide, and the signs of reduced recruitment have been observed in continental Europe since the early 1970s. To aid recovery of the European eel, stocking is used by many European countries as a management option. In this study, tagging experiments were conducted to follow eel migration from Lake Mälaren and four sites along the Swedish east coast in the Baltic Sea. The recaptured tagged eels were retrieved from fishermen, allowing for the opportunity to investigate their origin (brackish water, stocked in freshwater or a mix in between) by otolith microchemistry and to assess for morphological differences after tagging. Several changes took place; for example, eye index increased while weight and condition decreased with migrated distance and time until recapture. In Lake Mälaren, the majority of tagged eels did not migrate out of the outlets, irrespective of their origin. Most of them were caught in the opposite direction and continued to be caught in the lake 1–3 years after tagging, with significant weight losses. Overall, overwintering is suggested to be an inferior option, but it is uncertain whether this is a natural behaviour or a result of translocation and restocking. For coastal eels, origin had no effect on migratory behaviour; a majority of the tagged eels migrated towards the outlet of the Baltic Sea. Interestingly, a minority of the recaptured eels originated from stocked fish. Instead, recaptures were dominated by natural immigrants that had spent most of their lives in brackish waters.     

Vertikalbewegungen Rickettsiose-kranker Larven vonAmphimallon solstitiale (LINNAEUS),Anomala dubia aenea (DE GEER) undMaladera brunnea (LINNAEUS)(Col., Lamellicornia)

Zusammenfassung DurchRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP infizierte Maikäfer-Engerlinge wandern während des Spätherbstes und Winters im Freiland absterbend auf die Erdoberfläche. Als Begleitarten inMelolontha Larvenpopulationen kamen im Gebiet vor:Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) undMaladera brunnea (L.). MitR. melolonthae künstlich infiziert, zeigten sie im Orientierungsversuch die gleiche Aufwanderungstendenz wie kranke Maikäferengerlinge, am deutlichsten die vonM. brunnea. Auf dem Waldboden fanden sich kranke Larven dieser Art in einigen Fällen.

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Summary Larvae ofMelolontha spp. infested withRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP move during October– January to the top of the soil where they eventually die. Larvae ofAmphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) andMaladera brunnea (L.) are susceptible forR. melolonthae, too. In experiments, artificially infested individuals showed a similar tendency to move upward. This was most pronounced inM. brunnea, of which some infested larvae were found on the forest floor.

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Résumé Larves du hanneton, infectées parRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP, se rendent à la surface de la terre au fin de l'automme et dans l'hivers. Comme espèces accompagnant les populations larvaires deMelolontha nous avons trouvés:Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) etMaladera brunnea (L.). Ils out démonstré, après une infection artificielle avecR. melolonthae, la mème tendence dans les essais d'orientation comme les vers blancs malades deMelolontha. Le phé nomène etait le plus prononcé parmi les larves deMaladera. De cette espèce nous avons trouvés plusieurs larves malades à la surface de la terre en plein champs.

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Rickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) Philip Melolontha- . . Melolontha- :Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (De G.) Maladera brunnea (L.). R. melolonthae , Melolontha-, M. brunnea. .