Boron proxies and biomineralisation: the possible, the impossible and the likely.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Branson ◽  
Alex Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Significant Modification ◽  
Carbon Chemistry ◽  
Carbonate Formation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Boron Chemistry ◽  
Ocean Carbon

<p>The abundance and isotopic content of boron in carbonate biominerals provide our best records of ocean carbon chemistry and pH, which have proved instrumental in studying past episodes of CO<sub>2</sub>-induced climate change. The boron proxies are based on the theory that carbonates solely incorporate B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup> in proportion to seawater B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>/HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> or B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>/CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>, capturing both the state of the ocean C system and the pH-dependent isotopic composition of B(OH)4-. However, models of biomineral<span>is</span>ation invoke significant modification of internal carbon chemistry to facilitate calcification, and substantial proton export has been observed during carbonate formation. The pH, carbon and boron chemistry at the site of calcification cannot be the same as that of external seawater. How, then, do biominerals appear to record seawater B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>? While unanswered, this question raises serious problems for our interpretation and use of the B proxies.</p><p>We explore this question using a quantitative model of B transport and incorporation in biomineral<span>is</span>ation. Three key fluxes dominate biomineral formation: CaCO<sub>3</sub> precipitation, the exchange of seawater with the external environment, and ion transport across membranes by diffusion or active pumping. By reducing the problem to the balance between these three key fluxes, it is possible to explore a wide range of biominera<span>lis</span>ation scenarios with minimally restrictive assumptions. Within this framework, we consider both the transport of B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>, and the transport and passive diffusion of membrane-permeable B(OH)<sub>3</sub>, allowing us to explore a comprehensive range of candidate biomineral<span>is</span>ation scenarios and B transport processes.</p><p>By explicitly including the independent transport of both B species, our model offers two key insights into the mechanisms behind the boron proxies and biomineral<span>is</span>ation:</p><ol><li> <p>We identify biomineralisation mechanisms that allow B geochemistry to record external seawater conditions, despite the modified chemistry at the calcification site.</p> </li> <li> <p>We constrain the dynamics of the calcification environment (e.g. ‘closed’ vs. ‘open’ or Rayleigh- vs. transport-dominated system) by inverting the model to consider paired B/Ca and δ<sup>11</sup>B data, offering key new constraints on ion transport processes in biomineral<span>is</span>ation.</p> </li> </ol>

Party Standstill in an Era of Change

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Ignazi
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
External Environment ◽  
The State ◽  
Extreme Right ◽  
Significant Modification ◽  
Interest Management ◽  
The Face ◽  
Short Run

Chapter 5 discusses the premises of the emergence of the cartel party with the parties’ resilience to any significant modification in the face of the cultural, societal, and political changes of the 1970s–1980s. Parties kept and even increased their hold on institutions and society. They adopted an entropic strategy to counteract challenges coming from a changing external environment. A new gulf with public opinion opened up, since parties demonstrated greater ease with state-centred activities for interest-management through collusive practices in the para-governmental sector, rather than with new social and political options. The emergence of two sets of alternatives, the greens and the populist extreme right, did not produce, in the short run, any impact on intra-party life. The chapter argues that the roots of cartelization reside mainly in the necessitated interpenetration with the state, rather than on inter-party collusion. This move has caught parties in a legitimacy trap.

Basolateral Cl− uptake mechanisms in Xenopus laevis lung epithelium

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (1) ◽  
pp. R92-R100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Berger ◽  
Martin Hardt ◽  
Wolfgang G. Clauss ◽  
Martin Fronius
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Ion Transport ◽  
Anion Exchanger ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Ussing Chamber ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Lung Epithelium ◽  
Active Ion Transport ◽  
Uptake Mechanisms

A thin liquid layer covers the lungs of air-breathing vertebrates. Active ion transport processes via the pulmonary epithelial cells regulate the maintenance of this layer. This study focuses on basolateral Cl− uptake mechanisms in native lungs of Xenopus laevis and the involvement of the Na+/K+/2 Cl− cotransporter (NKCC) and HCO3−/Cl− anion exchanger (AE), in particular. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of the NKCC protein in the Xenopus lung. Ussing chamber experiments demonstrated that the NKCC inhibitors (bumetanide and furosemide) were ineffective at blocking the cotransporter under basal conditions, as well as under pharmacologically stimulated Cl−-secreting conditions (forskolin and chlorzoxazone application). However, functional evidence for the NKCC was detected by generating a transepithelial Cl− gradient. Further, we were interested in the involvement of the HCO3−/Cl− anion exchanger to transepithelial ion transport processes. Basolateral application of DIDS, an inhibitor of the AE, resulted in a significantly decreased the short-circuit current (ISC). The effect of DIDS was diminished by acetazolamide and reduced by increased external HCO3− concentrations. Cl− secretion induced by forskolin was decreased by DIDS, but this effect was abolished in the presence of HCO3−. These experiments indicate that the AE at least partially contributes to Cl− secretion. Taken together, our data show that in Xenopus lung epithelia, the AE, rather than the NKCC, is involved in basolateral Cl− uptake, which contrasts with the common model for Cl− secretion in pulmonary epithelia.

Ion Transport by the Cornea

Physiology ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-99
Author(s):  
M Wiederholt
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Electrolyte Transport

The cornea and lens of the eye are avascular transparent tissues that allow almost unimpeded transmission of light to the retina. The transparency of the cornea is a function of hydration, which in turn is affected by electrolyte transport processes across the cellular barriers.

scholarly journals Extracellular Acid-Base Balance and Ion Transport Between Body Fluid Compartments

Physiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian L. Seifter ◽  
Hsin-Yun Chang
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
Ph Regulation ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Electrolyte Balance ◽  
Ph Homeostasis ◽  
Acid Base Balance ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Base Balance ◽  
Fluid Compartments

Clinical assessment of acid-base disorders depends on measurements made in the blood, part of the extracellular compartment. Yet much of the metabolic importance of these disorders concerns intracellular events. Intracellular and interstitial compartment acid-base balance is complex and heterogeneous. This review considers the determinants of the extracellular fluid pH related to the ion transport processes at the interface of cells and the interstitial fluid, and between epithelial cells lining the transcellular contents of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts that open to the external environment. The generation of acid-base disorders and the associated disruption of electrolyte balance are considered in the context of these membrane transporters. This review suggests a process of internal and external balance for pH regulation, similar to that of potassium. The role of secretory gastrointestinal epithelia and renal epithelia with respect to normal pH homeostasis and clinical disorders are considered. Electroneutrality of electrolytes in the ECF is discussed in the context of reciprocal changes in Cl−or non Cl−anions and [Formula: see text].

scholarly journals Quantitative Model for Ion Transport and Cytoplasm Conductivity of Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azita Fazelkhah ◽  
Katrin Braasch ◽  
Samaneh Afshar ◽  
Elham Salimi ◽  
Michael Butler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
Chinese Hamster Ovary ◽  
Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Ovary Cells

scholarly journals Simulation of P2X-mediated calcium signaling in microglia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Chun ◽  
Bradley D. Stewart ◽  
Darin Vaughan ◽  
Adam D. Bachstetter ◽  
Peter M. Kekenes-Huskey
Keyword(s):  
Computational Model ◽  
Purinergic Receptor ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Transcriptional Responses ◽  
Extracellular Adenosine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Intracellular Ca

AbstractMicroglia function is orchestrated through highly-coupled signaling pathways that depend on calcium (Ca2+). In response to extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), transient increases in intracellular Ca2+ driven through the activation of purinergic receptors, P2X and P2Y, are sufficient to promote cytokine synthesis and potentially their release. While steps comprising the pathways bridging purinergic receptor activation with transcriptional responses have been probed in great detail, a quantitative model for how these steps collectively control cytokine production has not been established. Here we developed a minimal computational model that quantitatively links extracellular stimulation of two prominent ionotropic puriner-gic receptors, P2X4 and P2X7, with the graded production of a gene product, namely the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) cytokine. In addition to Ca2+ handling mechanisms common to eukaryotic cells, our model includes microglia-specific processes including ATP-dependent P2X4 and P2X7 activation, activation of NFAT transcription factors, and TNFα production. Parameters for this model were optimized to reproduce published data for these processes, where available. With this model, we determined the propensity for TNFα production in microglia, subject to a wide range of ATP exposure amplitudes, frequencies and durations that the cells could encounter in vivo. Furthermore, we have investigated the extent to which modulation of the signal transduction pathways influence TNFα production. Our key findings are that TNFα production via P2X4 is maximized at low ATP when subject to high frequency ATP stimulation, whereas P2X7 contributes most significantly at millimolar ATPranges. Given that Ca2+ homeostasis in microglia is profoundly important to its function, this computational model provides a quantitative framework to explore hypotheses pertaining to microglial physiology.

scholarly journals Physical Transport Processes that Affect the Distribution of Oil in the Gulf of Mexico: Observations and Modeling

Oceanography ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-75
Author(s):  
Michel Boufadel ◽  
◽  
Annalisa Bracco ◽  
Eric Chassignet ◽  
Shuyi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Surface Mixed Layer ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Mixing Processes ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Wide Range

Physical transport processes such as the circulation and mixing of waters largely determine the spatial distribution of materials in the ocean. They also establish the physical environment within which biogeochemical and other processes transform materials, including naturally occurring nutrients and human-made contaminants that may sustain or harm the region’s living resources. Thus, understanding and modeling the transport and distribution of materials provides a crucial substrate for determining the effects of biological, geological, and chemical processes. The wide range of scales in which these physical processes operate includes microscale droplets and bubbles; small-scale turbulence in buoyant plumes and the near-surface “mixed” layer; submesoscale fronts, convergent and divergent flows, and small eddies; larger mesoscale quasi-geostrophic eddies; and the overall large-scale circulation of the Gulf of Mexico and its interaction with the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; along with air-sea interaction on longer timescales. The circulation and mixing processes that operate near the Gulf of Mexico coasts, where most human activities occur, are strongly affected by wind- and river-induced currents and are further modified by the area’s complex topography. Gulf of Mexico physical processes are also characterized by strong linkages between coastal/shelf and deeper offshore waters that determine connectivity to the basin’s interior. This physical connectivity influences the transport of materials among different coastal areas within the Gulf of Mexico and can extend to adjacent basins. Major advances enabled by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative in the observation, understanding, and modeling of all of these aspects of the Gulf’s physical environment are summarized in this article, and key priorities for future work are also identified.

Plasma Diagnostics of Microflares observed by STIX and AIA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Saqri ◽  
Astrid Veronig ◽  
Ewan Dickson ◽  
Säm Krucker ◽  
Andrea Francesco Battaglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Emission Measure ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Energy Bands ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Wide Range

<p>Solar flares are generally thought to be the impulsive release of magnetic energy giving rise to a wide range of solar phenomena that influence the heliosphere and in some cases even conditions of earth. Part of this liberated energy is used for particle acceleration and to heat up the solar plasma. The Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) instrument onboard the Solar Orbiter mission launched on February 10th 2020 promises advances in the study of solar flares of various sizes. It is capable of measuring X-ray spectra from 4 to 150 keV with 1 keV resolution binned into 32 energy bins before downlinking. With this energy range and sensitivity, STIX is capable of sampling thermal plasma with temperatures of≳10 MK, and to diagnose the nonthermal bremsstrahlung emission of flare-accelerated electrons. During the spacecraft commissioning phase in the first half of the year 2020, STIX observed 68 microflares. Of this set, 26 events could clearly be identified in at least two energy channels, all of which originated in an active region that was also visible from earth. These events provided a great opportunity to combine the STIX observations with the multi-band EUV imagery from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument on board the earth orbiting Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). For the microflares that could be identified in two STIX science energy bands, it was possible to derive the temperature and emission measure (EM) of the flaring plasma assuming an isothermal source. For larger events where more detailed spectra could be derived, a more accurate analysis was performed by fitting the spectra assuming various thermal and nonthermal sources. These results are compared to the diagnostics derived from AIA images. To this aim, the Differential EmissionMeasure (DEM) was reconstructed from AIA observations to infer plasma temperatures and EM in the flaring regions. Combined with the the relative timing between the emission seen by STIX and AIA, this allows us to get deeper insight into the flare energy release and transport processes.</p>

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