Nitric oxide (NO) in the Bohai and Yellow Seas

Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived compound of the marine nitrogen cycle; however, our knowledge about its oceanic distribution and pathways is rudimentary. Here we present the measurements of dissolved NO in the surface and bottom layers at 75 stations in the Bohai Sea (BS) and Yellow Sea (YS) in June 2011. Moreover, NO photoproduction rates were determined at 27 stations in both seas. The NO concentrations in the surface and bottom layers were highly variable and ranged from below the detection limit (i.e. 32 pmol L−1) to 616 pmol L−1 in the surface layer and to 482 pmol L−1 in the bottom layer. There was no significant difference between the mean NO concentrations in the surface (186 ± 108 pmol L−1) and bottom (174 ± 123 pmol L−1) layers. A decreasing trend of NO bottom layer concentrations salinity indicates a NO input by submarine groundwater discharge. NO in the surface layer was supersaturated at all stations during both day and night and therefore the BS and YS were a persistent source of NO to the atmosphere at the time of our measurements. The accumulation of NO during daytime was resulting from photochemical production and photoprodcution rates were correlated to illuminance. The persistent nighttime NO supersaturation pointed to a, so far unknown, NO dark production. NO sea-to-air flux densities were much lower than the NO photoproduction rates. Therefore, we conclude that the bulk of the NO produced in the mixed layer was rapidly consumed before its release to the atmosphere. Overall, the oceanic NO emissions to the atmosphere were negligible compared to anthropogenic NOx sources such as emissions from ships.

Control

This chapter describes how Bob Fosse’s successes during the previous decade allowed him even greater control over his projects in the 1980s. Star 80, his film about the murder of a Playboy Playmate, which he wrote and directed, was a failure both critically and commercially. Its subject matter was grisly, and Fosse’s straightforward presentation offered no resolutions or bromides. When he returned to Broadway, it was with Big Deal, written, directed, and choreographed by him, with a score made up of 1930s standards. Big Deal was the purest distillation of Fosse’s theatrical vision, but its slim story was at odds with its dark production design, and it suffered from a shortage of showstopping dances. Big Deal was the first Bob Fosse show to fail on Broadway. Now that he had achieved complete control, Fosse appeared to have lost his sense of timing; for once, he seemed out of step with audiences and critics.

Influence of light on growth, conidiation and the mutual regulation of fumonisin B2 and ochratoxin A biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger is a fungus able to produce the carcinogenic mycotoxins ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins. We analysed the influence of light of various wavelengths on growth, conidiation, fumonisin B2 (FB2) and OTA biosynthesis by A. niger ITEM 7097. Light from both sides of the spectrum, from long (627 nm) to short wavelengths (470-455 nm), had a stimulating effect on growth, with the highest stimulation under blue (455 nm, 1,700 Lux) and short-wave blue light (390 nm). Conidiation was reduced by 40% under a short blue wavelength (455 nm, 200 Lux), but strongly promoted under light at an even shorter wavelength (390 nm), with an increase of about 200 fold in comparison to the dark. Production of FB2 and OTA was mutually regulated by light. FB2 production was promoted under light conditions: red and blue light in particular increased FB2 biosynthesis by 40%. Conversely, OTA production was greatly inhibited under red and blue light in comparison to dark incubation, with a mean reduction of about 40 fold, indicating a reverse regulation of both biosynthetic pathways. Incubation under a 390 nm wavelength repressed the production of both toxins to non-detectable levels.