Ultra slow acoustic energy transport in dense fish aggregates

A dramatic slowing down of acoustic wave transport in dense fish shoals is observed in open-sea fish cages. By employing a multi-beam ultrasonic antenna, we observe the coherent backscattering phenomenon. We extract key parameters of wave transport such as the transport mean free path and the energy transport velocity of diffusive waves from diffusion theory fits to the experimental data. The energy transport velocity is found to be about 10 times smaller than the speed of sound in water, a value that is exceptionally low compared with most observations in acoustics. By studying different models of the fish body, we explain the basic mechanism responsible for the observed very slow transport of ultrasonic waves in dense fish shoals. Our results show that, while the fish swim bladder plays an important role in wave scattering, other organs have to be considered to explain ultra-low energy transport velocities.

Coulometric response characteristics of solid contact ion-selective electrodes for divalent cations

The chronoamperometric and coulometric response of solid contact ion-selective electrodes (SCISEs) for the detection of divalent cations was investigated in order to provide a more complete description of the mechanism of the recently introduced coulometric transduction method for SCISEs. The coulometric transduction method has earlier been employed only for SCISEs that were selective to monovalent ions. The SCISEs utilized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS−) as the solid contact (ion-to-electron transducer). PEDOT(PSS) was electrodeposited on glassy carbon and covered with plasticized PVC-based ion-selective membranes (ISMs) that were selective towards divalent cations (Ca2+, Pb2+). In contrast to earlier studies, the results obtained in this work show that the coulometric response for the Pb2+-SCISE was limited mainly by ion transport in the PEDOT(PSS) layer, which was not the case for the Ca2+-SCISE, nor was it observed earlier for the monovalent ions. The exceptional behavior of the Pb2+-SCISE was explored further by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and it was shown that the effective redox capacitance of PEDOT(PSS) was significantly higher for the Pb2+-SCISE than for the Ca2+-SCISE although the polymerization charge of PEDOT(PSS) was the same. The slow transport of Pb2+ in PEDOT(PSS) was tentatively related to complexation between Pb2+ and PEDOT(PSS).

Modelling nearshore sediment fluxes in embayed settings over a multi-annual timescale

<p>Predicting coastal system response and evolution requires an accurate delineation and understanding of coastal cell boundaries and sediment transport pathways. Recent studies along highly embayed sandy coastlines show that important sediment transport into and out of the embayments may occur under particular conditions; however, key processes (e.g., mega-rips, headland bypassing), driving forces, flux rates and local factors (e.g., headland/embayment morphometric parameters) influencing these sediment fluxes are still poorly resolved. Here, we investigate the nearshore sediment transport dynamics along a 15-km stretch of the embayed coastline of SW England using the process-based numerical model Delf3D. </p><p>Numerical simulations (coupled wave and tide) are conducted to compute major circulation modes and sediment fluxes for a wide range of modal and extreme conditions. Based on the hindcast wave data, predictions of sediment fluxes over multi-annual timescales are then produced allowing for resolution of potential sediment budgets. </p><p>Results indicate that extreme events (<em>H<sub>s</sub></em>  > 7 m) involve multi-embayment circulation and mega-rip formation (0.7 m s<sup>-1</sup> at > 20 m depth) in the down-wave sectors of the embayments with subsequent significant sediment flushed beyond the base of the headlands (c. 10<sup>4</sup> m<sup>3</sup> day<sup>-1</sup> cross-shore and 10<sup>3</sup> m<sup>3</sup> day<sup>-1</sup> bypassing). Accretionary phases over moderate-high swell periods (up to <em>H<sub>s </sub></em>= 4 m) are characterized by the presence of clockwise intra-embayment circulation with predicted currents (0.4 – 0.5 m s<sup>-1</sup> flow below 10 m depth) inducing a slow transport of sand from the updrift to the downdrift part of all the embayments (c. -10<sup>2</sup> – -10<sup>3</sup> m<sup>3</sup> day<sup>-1</sup>). This circulation mode is combined with weaker bypassing rates around the shallower and wider headlands (10<sup>2</sup> – 10<sup>3</sup>m<sup>3</sup> day<sup>-1</sup>) that is partially conditioned by the direction of the waves.</p><p> Our study suggests that major mechanisms for redistributing material to and along the lower shoreface (up to 25 m depth) for embayed coastlines are the longshore residual flow around headlands, the presence of mega-rips and the embayment-scale circulation, with the latter being a function of embayment length and headland configuration. Hindcasted yearly bypassing rates around the headlands are episodic, occur mainly during high-energy events and range between 10<sup>3</sup> and 10<sup>5</sup> m<sup>3</sup> y<sup>-1</sup>. Hence, the magnitude of this bypass suggests that lower shoreface sediment fluctuations should be considered a critical mechanism that will inevitably affect coastal evolution over longer temporal scales (> 10 years), specifically along high energy and sediment starved coastlines.</p>

Measuring mRNA translation in neuronal processes and somata by tRNA-FRET

In neurons, the specific spatial and temporal localization of protein synthesis is of great importance for function and survival. Here, we visualized tRNA and protein synthesis events in fixed and live mouse primary cortical culture using fluorescently-labeled tRNAs. We were able to characterize the distribution and transport of tRNAs in different neuronal sub-compartments and to study their association with the ribosome. We found that tRNA mobility in neural processes is lower than in somata and corresponds to patterns of slow transport mechanisms, and that larger tRNA puncta co-localize with translational machinery components and are likely the functional fraction. Furthermore, chemical induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in culture revealed up-regulation of mRNA translation with a similar effect in dendrites and somata, which appeared to be GluR-dependent 6 h post-activation. Importantly, measurement of protein synthesis in neurons with high resolutions offers new insights into neuronal function in health and disease states.

Interfacial solvation and slow transport of hydrated excess protons in non-ionic reverse micelles

Simulations show that hydrated excess protons in non-ionic reverse micelles resides near the interface, contrary to some experimental assumptions.

Gravitoviscous protoplanetary disks with a dust component

Aims. The central region of a circumstellar disk is difficult to resolve in global numerical simulations of collapsing cloud cores, but its effect on the evolution of the entire disk can be significant. Methods. We used numerical hydrodynamics simulations to model the long-term evolution of self-gravitating and viscous circumstellar disks in the thin-disk limit. Simulations start from the gravitational collapse of pre-stellar cores of 0.5–1.0 M⊙ and both gaseous and dusty subsystems were considered, including a model for dust growth. The inner unresolved 1.0 au of the disk is replaced with a central smart cell (CSC), a simplified model that simulates physical processes that may occur in this region. Results. We found that the mass transport rate through the CSC has an appreciable effect on the evolution of the entire disk. Models with slow mass transport form more massive and warmer disks, and are more susceptible to gravitational instability and fragmentation, including a newly identified episodic mode of disk fragmentation in the T Tauri phase of disk evolution. Models with slow mass transport through the CSC feature episodic accretion and luminosity bursts in the early evolution, while models with fast transport are characterized by a steadily declining accretion rate with low-amplitude flickering. Dust grows to a larger, decimeter size in the slow transport models and efficiently drifts in the CSC, where it accumulates and reaches the limit where a streaming instability becomes operational. We argue that gravitational instability, together with a streaming instability likely operating in the inner disk regions, constitute two concurrent planet-forming mechanisms, which may explain the observed diversity of exoplanetary orbits. Conclusions. We conclude that sophisticated models of the inner unresolved disk regions should be used when modeling the formation and evolution of gaseous and dusty protoplanetary disks.

Measuring mRNA translation in neuronal processes and somata by tRNA-FRET

In neurons, the specific spatial and temporal localization of protein synthesis is of great importance for function and survival. In this work, we visualized tRNA and protein synthesis events in fixed and live mouse primary cortical culture using fluorescently-labeled tRNAs. We were able to characterize the distribution and movement of tRNAs in different neuronal sub-compartments and to study their association with the ribosome. We found that tRNA motion in neural processes is lower than in somata and corresponds to patterns of slow transport mechanisms, and that larger tRNA puncta co-localize with translational machinery components and are likely the functional fraction. Furthermore, chemical induction of LTP in culture revealed GluR-dependent biphasic up-regulation of mRNA translation with a similar effect in dendrites and somata. Importantly, measurement of protein synthesis in neurons with high resolutions offers new insights into neuronal function in health and disease states.

The Radial Propagation of Heat in Strongly Driven Non-Equilibrium Fusion Plasmas

Heat transport is studied in strongly heated fusion plasmas, far from thermodynamic equilibrium. The radial propagation of perturbations is studied using a technique based on the transfer entropy. Three different magnetic confinement devices are studied, and similar results are obtained. “Minor transport barriers” are detected that tend to form near rational magnetic surfaces, thought to be associated with zonal flows. Occasionally, heat transport “jumps” over these barriers, and this “jumping” behavior seems to increase in intensity when the heating power is raised, suggesting an explanation for the ubiquitous phenomenon of “power degradation” observed in magnetically confined plasmas. Reinterpreting the analysis results in terms of a continuous time random walk, “fast” and “slow” transport channels can be discerned. The cited results can partially be understood in the framework of a resistive Magneto-HydroDynamic model. The picture that emerges shows that plasma self-organization and competing transport mechanisms are essential ingredients for a fuller understanding of heat transport in fusion plasmas.