An Instrumental Connection. Economic Diplomacy, International Arms Trade and Overseas Aspirations between Portugal and Sweden, 1640–80

This paper offers an Iberian perspective on Sweden’s ‘Age of Greatness’ by looking at the intersection of international politics and trade involving Portugal and Sweden after Portugal regained its independence from Spain at the end of 1640. Sweden’s exports of timber, naval stores, iron, copper, and weapons to Braganza Portugal are seen in the context of the Portuguese wars for overseas trade and colonial settlement against the Dutch Republic and the struggle for autonomy against Spain in its home turf. By revisiting the accounts of diplomatic actors, this contribution will discuss how Portugal turned to Sweden for diplomatic recognition and new consumption markets and carriers for its export sector. It will also be shown how Sweden stood to gain by adding a new customer to its military export sector and by tapping into Portugal’s colonial goods and salt, while at the same time it entertained the prospect of using the Portuguese offshoots in West Africa and the East Indies to further its ambitions in overseas trade.

Synthesis of chelated compounds of amino acids with metals

The article describes the reactions of glycine synthesis with alkaline, alkaline-earth and divalent 3-d metals, which were carried out during the experiment. Hydroxides or sulfates of lithium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt and sodium were used as reagents for the synthesis. The physicochemical properties of the obtained compounds were studied. Keywords: chelates, glycinates of alkaline and alkaline earth metals, glycinates of divalent 3-d metals.

Orchestrating a heist: uptake and storage of metals by apicomplexan parasites

The acquisition and storage of metals has been a preoccupation of life for millennia. Transition metals, in particular iron, copper and zinc, have vital roles within cells. However, metals also make dangerous cargos; inappropriate uptake or storage of transition metals leads to cell death. This paradox has led to cells developing elegant and frequently redundant mechanisms for fine-tuning local metal concentrations. In the context of infection, pathogens must overcome further hurdles, as hosts act to weaponize metal availability to prevent pathogen colonization and spread. Here, we detail the methods used by the Apicomplexa, a large family of eukaryotic parasites, to obtain and store essential metals.

Functional significance and physiological regulation of essential trace metals in fish

ABSTRACT Trace metals such as iron, copper, zinc and manganese play essential roles in various biological processes in fish, including development, energy metabolism and immune response. At embryonic stages, fish obtain essential metals primarily from the yolk, whereas in later life stages (i.e. juvenile and adult), the gastrointestine and the gill are the major sites for the acquisition of trace metals. On a molecular level, the absorption of metals is thought to occur at least in part via specific metal ion transporters, including the divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), copper transporter-1 (CTR1), and Zrt- and Irt-like proteins (ZIP). A variety of other proteins are also involved in maintaining cellular and systemic metal homeostasis. Interestingly, the expression and function of these metal transport- and metabolism-related proteins can be influenced by a range of trace metals and major ions. Increasing evidence also demonstrates an interplay between the gastrointestine and the gill for the regulation of trace metal absorption. Therefore, there is a complex network of regulatory and compensatory mechanisms involved in maintaining trace metal balance. Yet, an array of factors is known to influence metal metabolism in fish, such as hormonal status and environmental changes. In this Review, we summarize the physiological significance of iron, copper, zinc and manganese, and discuss the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms underlying transepithelial metal ion transport, metal–metal interactions, and cellular and systemic handling of these metals in fish. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps in the regulation of metal homeostasis and discuss potential future research directions.

Hydroxylamine Accelerates the Cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II)-Cu(II)/Cu(I) to Enhance the Ability of Fe-Cu Bimetallic System to Activate Peroxymonosulfate to Degrade AO7

In this study, a new type of iron/copper bimetallic combined with hydroxylamine (HA) activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was constructed to treat organic pollutants. Selecting the azo dye AO7 as the representative of organic pollutants, the new system can achieve nearly 100% degradation of AO7 within 5 minutes. The Fe(Ⅲ)/Cu(Ⅱ)/HA/PMS system mainly generates SO4·- to achieve the degradation of AO7 in acidic environment, while neutral and alkaline environments rely on ·OH. The presence of hydroxylamine accelerates the cycle of Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ) and Cu(Ⅱ)/Cu(Ⅰ) in the system, and enhances the degradation ability of the system for organic pollutants. The addition of trace Cu(Ⅱ) (1 μM) enhances the ability of a single Fe(Ⅲ)/HA/PMS system to degrade AO7 in neutral and alkaline environments without causing secondary copper pollution. The common inorganic anions Cl- and NO3- in water have almost no effect on the degradation of AO7 in the system. The constructed Fe(Ⅲ)/Cu(Ⅱ)/HA/PMS system is an efficient and clean organic pollutant wastewater treatment process, which has very promising application prospects.

Electrochemical Study of the Reduction of Levulinic Acid in Acetonitrile on Various Electrodes

The reduction of levulinic acid by electrochemical methods in acetonitrile with or without proton donor on platinum, rhodium, glassy carbon, dropping mercury, iron, copper and lead electrodes were studied. The reduction of levulinic acid was shown to depend on the nature of electrode material and to proceed according to either electrocatalytic or electrochemical mechanisms