Sample and population exponents of generalized Taylor's law

Taylor's law (TL) states that the variance $V$ of a non-negative random variable is a power function of its mean $M$, i.e. $V=a M^b$. The ubiquitous empirical verification of TL, typically displaying sample exponents $b \simeq 2$, suggests a context-independent mechanism. However, theoretical studies of population dynamics predict a broad range of values of $b$. Here, we explain this apparent contradiction by using large deviations theory to derive a generalized TL in terms of sample and populations exponents $b_{jk}$ for the scaling of the $k$-th vs the $j$-th cumulant (conventional TL is recovered for $b=b_{12}$), with the sample exponent found to depend predictably on the number of observed samples. Thus, for finite numbers of observations one observes sample exponents $b_{jk}\simeq k/j$ (thus $b\simeq2$) independently of population exponents. Empirical analyses on two datasets support our theoretical results.Comment: 41 pages, 10 figures, 6 table

A meta-analysis of comparative transcriptomic data reveals a set of key genes involved in the tolerance to abiotic stresses in rice

Several environmental factors, such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, negatively affect plant growth and development, which leads to yield losses. The tolerance or sensitivity to abiotic stressors are the expression of a complex machinery involving molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms. Here, a meta-analysis on previously published RNA-Seq data was performed to identify the genes conferring tolerance to chilling, osmotic, and salt stresses, by comparing the transcriptomic changes between tolerant and susceptible rice genotypes. Several genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) were identified, suggesting that abiotic stress tolerance involves upstream regulatory pathways. A gene co-expression network defined the metabolic and signalling pathways with a prominent role in the differentiation between tolerance and susceptibility: (i) the regulation of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) levels, through the modulation of genes that are related to its biosynthesis/catabolism, (ii) the signalling pathways mediated by ABA and jasmonic acid, (iii) the activity of the \u201cDrought and Salt Tolerance\u201d TF, involved in the negative regulation of stomatal closure, and (iv) the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis by specific MYB TFs. The identified genes represent putative key players for conferring tolerance to a broad range of abiotic stresses in rice; a fine-tuning of their expression seems to be crucial for rice plants to cope with environmental cues

ATP-sensitive cation-channel in wheat (triticum durum Desf.): Identification and characterization of a plant mitochondrial channel by patch-clamp

Indirect evidence points to the presence of K + channels in plant mitochondria. In the present study, we report the results of the first patch clamp experiments on plant mitochondria. Single-channel recordings in 150 mM potassium gluconate have allowed the biophysical characterization of a channel with a conductance of 150 pS in the inner mitochondrial membrane of mitoplasts obtained from wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). The channel displayed sharp voltage sensitivity, permeability to potassium and cation selectivity. ATP in the mM concentration range completely abolished the activity. We discuss the possible molecular identity of the channel and its possible role in the defence mechanisms against oxidative stress in plants

Avaliação de um biossorvente à base de fibra de ráfia na sorção de hidrocarbonetos

Oil spills and discharges of petroleum products have severely polluted aquatic ecosystems, oceans, rivers, groundwater and even soil. In August 2019, more than 2,000 km of the northeast and southeast coast of Brazil were struck by a major oil spill in the country’s largest ever environmental disaster. Spill remediation is a significant environmental challenge and the economic and socioenvironmental impacts of these events are diverse. Oil spills in oceans and rivers severely affect the fishing and tourism industries of the areas in question, with damage including severe short and long-term effects on plants and animals, such as respiratory and digestive disorders, reduced growth and reproductive capacity as well as weakened immunity due to the bioaccumulation of toxic contaminants. There are several proposed strategies for removing crude oil and petroleum products from surface water. Contaminated areas can be remediated in-situ or ex-situ, with the former considered the best option in terms of cost and efficiency. In this respect, absorbent materials obtained from biomass have received widespread attention due to their ease of use, buoyancy and low cost. Raffia is a natural fiber abundant in eastern Africa with excellent physical properties, such as low specific weight, good liquid sorption and low conductivity. As such, the present study investigated the application of raffia fiber with different particle sizes (< 300 µm, 300 - 850 µm, 850 - 1000 µm, 1000 - 1400 µm and 1400 - 2000 µm) and fiber/hydrocarbon ratios (1, 2, 3 and 4% w/v) as an absorbent for hydrocarbons, using n-heptane as a model molecule. Microscopic analysis of micronized raffia fiber indicated the presence of honeycomb-shaped cells with well-defined borders and an irregular geometry. These honeycomb structures are preserved, especially in large particle size ranges. Among the granulometries assessed, the highest sorption capacities were obtained for 1000 to 1400 µm raffia fibers, suggesting that honeycomb-shaped structures favor hydrocarbon sorption. Additionally, the fact that smaller particles do not require micronization is economically beneficial and facilitates application of the absorbent material to remediate hydrocarbon-contaminated areas. The results obtained under the conditions studied indicate that sorption capacity increases as the absorbent content rises. Comparison of fiber contents of 1% and 3% w/v for 1000 - 1400 µm particles showed an increase of approximately 43% in sorption capacity when content rose to 3% w/v. The results of the present study demonstrate the potential of natural raffia fiber as an alternative absorbent for hydrocarbons.O derramamento de óleo e derivados de petróleo leva a graves efeitos de poluição em sistemas aquáticos, oceanos, rios e águas subterrâneas e, até mesmo, no solo. Recentemente, em agosto de 2019, mais de 2 mil quilômetros do litoral do Nordeste e Sudeste brasileiro foram atingidos por um grande derramamento de petróleo, caracterizando o maior desastre ambiental já ocorrido no Brasil. Um grande desafio ambiental é a remediação de incidentes envolvendo derramamento de óleo e derivados de petróleo. Os impactos econômicos e socioambientais desses incidentes são os mais diversos. Considerando os desastres de derramamento em áreas marítimas e fluviais, os danos podem gerar sérios problemas na indústria pesqueira ou até mesmo em atividades turísticas da região. Entre estes danos, efeitos gravíssimos em plantas e animais a curto e longo prazo, como problemas nos sistemas respiratório e digestivo, na capacidade de crescimento e reprodução e na imunidade devido aos processos de bioacumulação de contaminantes tóxicos. Atualmente, muitas abordagens são propostas para remoção de contaminantes de óleo e derivados de petróleo de superfícies aquosas. A remediação de áreas contaminadas pode ocorrer in-situ ou ex-situ, sendo que as tecnologias in-situ são sempre consideradas as melhores opções devido ao custo e eficiência. Com relação a isso, materiais absorventes provenientes de biomassa têm atraído muita atenção pela sua facilidade de utilização, pois normalmente possuem boa flutuabilidade e baixo custo. A ráfia é uma espécie de fibra natural encontrada em abundância na região ocidental da África e que possui propriedades físicas interessantes, como a baixa massa específica, boa sorção a líquidos e baixa condutividade. Dentro deste contexto, o presente trabalho estudou a aplicação da fibra natural de ráfia em diferentes faixas granulométricas (< 300 µm, 300 - 850 µm, 850 - 1000 µm, 1000 - 1400 µm e 1400 - 2000 µm) e em diferentes razões fibra/hidrocarboneto (1, 2, 3 e 4% m/v) como material absorvente para hidrocarbonetos, utilizando o n-heptano como molécula modelo. A análise microscópica da fibra de ráfia micronizada indica a presença de células formadas com fronteiras bem definidas e fechadas, mas com geometria irregular, cuja forma lembra uma colmeia de abelha. Essas estruturas de colmeia foram preservadas, principalmente nas maiores faixas granulométricas. Dentre as diferentes granulometrias avaliadas, as maiores capacidades de sorção foram obtidas com partículas de ráfia na faixa de 1000 - 1400 µm, sugerindo que a presença de estruturas na forma de colmeia favorece a sorção de hidrocarboneto. Além disso, o fato de não haver necessidade de micronizar a fibra em partículas muito finas, gera vantagens do ponto de vista econômico e de aplicação do material absorvente na remediação de áreas contaminadas por hidrocarbonetos. Os resultados obtidos nas condições estudadas indicam que a capacidade de sorção cresce à medida que a quantidade de absorvente aumenta. Comparando-se os teores de 1% e 3% m/v de ráfia, na faixa de 1000 - 1400 µm verificou-se um aumento de aproximadamente 43% na capacidade de sorção, quando o teor de fibra aumentou para 3% m/v. Os resultados do presente trabalho evidenciam a potencialidade da fibra natural de ráfia como material absorvente alternativo para hidrocarbonetos

β-Phase Morphology in Ordered Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) Nanopillars by Template Wetting Method

An efficient method based in template wetting is applied for fabrication of ordered Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) nanopillars with β-phase morphology. In this process, nanoporous alumina obtained by anodization process is used as template. PFO nanostructures are prepared under ambient conditions via infiltration of the polymeric solution into the pores of the alumina with an average pore diameter of 225 nm and a pore depth of 500 nm. The geometric features of the resulting structures are characterized with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), luminescence fluorimeter (PL) and micro μ-X-ray diffractometer (μ-XRD). The characterization demonstrates the β-phase of the PFO in the nanopillars fabricated. Furthermore, the PFO nanopillars are characterized by Raman spectroscopy to study the polymer conformation. These ordered nanostructures can be used in optoelectronic applications such as polymer light-emitting diodes, sensors and organic solar cells

MicroMotility: State of the art, recent accomplishments and perspectives on the mathematical modeling of bio-motility at microscopic scales

Mathematical modeling and quantitative study of biological motility (in particular, of motility at microscopic scales) is producing new biophysical insight and is offering opportunities for new discoveries at the level of both fundamental science and technology. These range from the explanation of how complex behavior at the level of a single organism emerges from body architecture, to the understanding of collective phenomena in groups of organisms and tissues, and of how these forms of swarm intelligence can be controlled and harnessed in engineering applications, to the elucidation of processes of fundamental biological relevance at the cellular and sub-cellular level. In this paper, some of the most exciting new developments in the fields of locomotion of unicellular organisms, of soft adhesive locomotion across scales, of the study of pore translocation properties of knotted DNA, of the development of synthetic active solid sheets, of the mechanics of the unjamming transition in dense cell collectives, of the mechanics of cell sheet folding in volvocalean algae, and of the self-propulsion of topological defects in active matter are discussed. For each of these topics, we provide a brief state of the art, an example of recent achievements, and some directions for future research