Phylogeography of the pelagic fish Seriola lalandi at different scales: confirmation of inter-ocean population structure and evaluation of southern African genetic diversity

The study investigated the global and regional phylogeography of the yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi by examining genetic diversity and population genetic structure of this species at inter-and intra-ocean level and on a regional scale. DNA fragments of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and one nuclear gene, recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1), were sequenced to investigate the global-scale phylogeography of this species. The population genetic structure within the South Pacific, as well as along the South African coastline, was examined further using six microsatellite markers. Three distinct clades were identified for S. lalandi, which correspond with previously described subspecies of the North-East Pacific, North-West Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere. Within the latter, additional divergence was observed between the South Pacific and the South-East Atlantic regions. Divergence estimates were indicative of a Pacific origin for S. lalandi populations, because of Pleistocene vicariant events. Microsatellite analyses revealed overall significant genetic differentiation between South African and South Pacific samples. This corroborates recent findings on the global phylogeography of the species. No population differentiation was observed within South Africa, indicating high levels of gene flow.     

Genomic resources for the spotted ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus

Genomic data can be a useful tool in the management and conservation of biodiversity. Here, we report the development of genomic resources for the spotted ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus using genome-wide DNA data from Illumina next-generation sequencing. We explored two commonly used genetic marker types: microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA. A total of 4 394 putative microsatellites were identified, of which 10 were tested on 24 individuals and found to have ideal properties for population genetic analyses. Additionally, we reconstructed the first complete mitochondrial genome of a South African spotted ragged-tooth shark, and highlight the most informative gene regions to facilitate future primer design. The data reported here may serve as a resource for future studies and can ultimately be applied in the sustainable conservation and fisheries management of this apex predator.     

Inhibition of calcite growth by alginate

The kinetics of calcite precipitation in the presence of alginate was investigated using the constant composition technique. In the concentration range investigated (0.0002-0.005 g L⁻¹), alginate inhibits calcite precipitation. The extent of inhibition increased with increased alginate concentration and decreased solution supersaturation. Alginate adsorption, derived from normalized calcite precipitation rates, is described satisfactorily by the Langmuir adsorption model. At lowest supersaturation, alginate adsorption onto calcite probably reaches its maximal uptake of 7.5E-4 g m⁻², corresponding to surface coverage of one molecule for each 200-300 nm², depending on the molecular mass of alginate. This means that one alginate molecule can be bound over 100-150 Ca surface sites. Initially, on the surface of the inhibited calcite, XPS identified alginate but after further time in solution, when the system had recovered, XPS demonstrated that it disappeared from the surface, presumably buried under the newly formed calcite. The alginate affinity constant decreases with increasing supersaturation, evidence for incomplete adsorption. A simple model based on competition between growth and desorption effectively describes the observed change in the adsorption constant.     

Molecular research on the systematically challenging smoothhound shark genus Mustelus: a synthesis of the past 30 years

The species-rich genus Mustelus (smoothhounds) of the shark family Triakidae is one of the most bio-economically important groups of elasmobranchs in the world’s oceans. Despite the commercial value of Mustelus, the systematics of the group remains largely unresolved and there is no global review or synthesis of knowledge about the conservation status and conservation genetics of smoothhounds across all oceanic regions. Here, we analysed published studies as well as grey literature to gain insight into the biogeographic, ecological and behavioural factors that shape genetic diversity in smoothhounds, and we identify critical knowledge gaps. From a series of molecular phylogenetic studies it can be inferred that the genus Mustelus is paraphyletic and that the aplacental species evolved secondarily from the placental species of the genus. The increasing availability of genetic data aids in disentangling systematic issues, such that more meaningful morphological characters can be chosen for use in practical field-identification keys for co-occurring smoothhounds. An integrative taxonomic approach to the genus Mustelus may offer the best chance of recording and protecting the biodiversity of these sharks. Furthermore, it is evident that different smoothhound species exhibit unique gene-flow patterns, suggesting varying rates within species and hence that species-level conservation approaches would be most appropriate. Molecular studies have advanced our understanding of smoothhound biology (including reproductive traits), ecology and evolution. While many knowledge gaps remain, a crucial lesson from this review is that, when doing assessments on a molecular level, it is important to place genetic results in a broader context, by assimilating biological and ecological data, if definitive conclusions are to be drawn.     

Experimental study of europium (III) coprecipitation with calcite

Partitioning of Eu(III) in calcite, CaCO₃, was evaluated with the aim of collecting data on partition coefficients and to enhance understanding of the incorporation mechanisms. This information will aid in the interpretation of geological processes from rare Earth element (REE) data and in the use of Eu(III) as a chemical analogue for the trivalent actinides, particularly Am(III) and Cm(III). Coprecipitation experiments were carried out by the constant addition method at 25°C and P_CO2 = 1 atm. Eu(III) was strongly partitioned from the solution into calcite. For dilute solid solutions (X_Eu < 0.001), Eu partition coefficients were estimated to be 770 ± 290 and found to be independent of calcite precipitation rate in the range of 0.02 to 2.7 nmol mg⁻¹ min⁻¹. This could be explained by the approximately equal values of the Eu partition and adsorption coefficients. Several solid solution models were tested. A vacancy model for Eu₂(CO₃)₃-CaCO₃ is consistent with the experimental results and constraints on geometry for Eu fit in the calcite lattice. For low Eu content, vacancy density is independent of Eu concentration in the solid so logarithm of the ion activity product, log (Eu)²(CO₃²⁻)³, depends linearly on log X_Eu². The fit of the data to such a model is good evidence that Eu(III) is taken up as a true solid solution, not simply by physical trapping. A model using EuOHCO₃-CaCO₃ is also consistent with the uptake stoichiometry, but EuOH²⁺ substitution for Ca²⁺ would be expected to distort the calcite structure more than is compatible with such a high K_D. Several other models, including EuNa(CO₃)₂-CaCO₃, were abandoned because their stoichiometric relationships did not fit the experimental data.     

KML在OneGeology和Google Earth之间的桥接作用浅析

为了促进全球范围内的地质图数据网络共享,国际地球科学联合会发起了OneGeology项目。目前该项目已经得到超过100个国家和地区和大量国际组织的参与,且已有40多个国家和地区在OneGeology项目的网站上登记了共享的地质图数据。由于这些数据源的服务器由各参与国的地质调查机构自己负责,OneGeology网站本身只通过一个数据接口OneGeology Portal提供对这些分布式数据源的浏览窗1：2。同时,另外一个重要的功能就是通过OneGeology Portal把选择的数据导出为KML文件,通过在Google Earth中打开该KML文件,可以把对应的数字地质图和和其他数据叠加浏览和分析,这也扩大了地质图数据的使用方式和服务目的。本文对KML文件在OneGeology和Google Earth之间的这种桥接作用做了分析并介绍了具体的操作过程。     

USE OF REPLICATION AND SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIOS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND ESTIMATION OF THE COMPOSITION OF LUBRICANT BASESTOCK MIXTURES USING ~(13)C NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY AND PROJECTION INTO PRINCIPAL COMPONENT/CANONICAL VARIATES SPACE

The theory of experimental error in analysis of mixture experiments by abstract factor analysis or targettransformation factor analysis is considered. The theoretical implications of using signal-to-noise ratios(as weights) or canonical variates analysis to reduce the level of imbedded error in the factor model areexamined. The approach is illustrated by application to ~(13)C NMR spectra of lubricant basestockmixtures.     

Complexation of Gold(III)-Chloride at the Surface of Hematite

The acid/base properties of the hematite/water interface and surfacecomplexation with gold has been studied by potentiometric titrations in thefour component system H⁺ – FeOH –AuCl ₄ ^- – Cl^-. Equilibrium measurementswere performed in NaCl media at 298.2 K. In the evaluation of equilibriummodel from experimental data the constant capacitance model was applied. Theacid/base properties were investigated in 0.1 M NaCl in the range 2.6 pH 7.4. The resulting intrinsic constants for protonation anddeprotonation of hydroxyl groups at the surface were log _1,1,0,0(int) ^s = 7.10 ± 0.06 andlog _{-1,1,0,0(int)} ^s = - 7.80 ±0.06. The density of proton active surface sites was 2.85nm^-2 and the specific capacitance 2.5 C V^-1 m^-2. In the investigation of surface complexation of gold, thepotentiometric titrations were performed in the range 2.0 pH 10.2.Titration data was supplemented with analysis of Au in the aqueous phase byatomic absorbance spectrometry. The equilibrium model proposed consists ofthe following monodentate surface complexes: FeOHAuCl₃(log _0,1,1,-1 ^s = 1.45 ± 0.03),FeOHAuCl₂OH (log _-1,1,1,-2 ^s = -3.89 ± 0.02), FeOHAu(OH)₃ (log _-3,1,1,-4 ^s = -21.94 ± 0.05). Aslightly better fit could be obtained by assuming formation of a bidentatecomplex with the composition(FeO)₂Au(OH)H₂O. However, based onstructural arguments this complex was rejected.     

High-temperature phase transitions and elasticity of silica polymorphs

The single-crystal acoustic velocities of α- and β-quartz were measured by Brillouin spectroscopy to a maximum temperature >1,500°C at room pressure. From these velocities, the single-crystal elastic moduli were calculated up to 1,050°C, exceeding the temperature range of previous measurements by 350°C for the elastic moduli and by 710°C for acoustic velocities. The ordinary refractive index (n _o) of α- and β-quartz was measured from room temperature to 800°C. In the temperature interval from ∼950 to 1,000°C a subtle change in the temperature derivative of the longitudinal acoustic velocity was observed in platelet geometry for all measured directions. The high-temperature acoustic velocity data may indicate the presence of a second phase, presumably β-cristobalite, that nucleates below 1,000°C.

Interaction between dissolved silica and calcium carbonate: 1. Spontaneous precipitation of calcium carbonate in the presence of dissolved silica

The kinetics of spontaneous precipitation of CaCO₃ from aqueous solution in the presence of dissolved silica was investigated by recording pH as a function of time. The presence of dissolved silica, at concentrations below saturation with respect to the amorphous phase, decreases induction time for CaCO₃ nucleation, but does not affect CaCO₃ polymorphism. For a “pure” system without silica, the surface free energy, σ, determined from classical nucleation theory is 42 mJ m⁻². This agrees well with values reported in the literature for vaterite and indicates some degree of heterogeneous nucleation, which can occur because of the relatively low degree of supersaturation used for the experiments. In the presence of 1 and 2 mM silica, σ is 37 and 34 mJ m⁻², indicating an increasing degree of heterogeneous nucleation as the amount of polymeric silica increases. The ratio of Ca²⁺ to CO₃²⁻ activity was a governing parameter for determining which CaCO₃ polymorph precipitated. At high Ca²⁺ to CO₃²⁻ activity ratios, almost all initial solid was vaterite, whereas at low ratios, a mixture of vaterite and calcite was observed. In solutions with low Ca²⁺ to CO₃²⁻ activity ratios, the presence of silica at concentrations above saturation with respect to amorphous silica led to formation of only calcite and strongly influenced the crystalline structure and morphology of the precipitates. At high Ca²⁺ to CO₃²⁻ ratios, system behaviour did not differ from that without silica.