Research of a vacuum diffusion boron silicification process for constructional materials

In this work process of vacuum diffusion boron silicification of materials in sodium chloride vapour were researched. Gaseous medium composition was found by using the thermodynamic calculations of chemical reactions between NaCl vapour and the components of saturating powder mixture in the process for the temperature T = 1400 − 1600 K and pressure P = 1.33 − 1333 Pa, when the content of boron is 1 weight percent and 10 weight percent in backfilling. Formation mechanism of diffusion layer оn example of the vacuum activated boron silicification of graphite was determined. Keywords: boron silicification, diffusion saturation, activator, vacuum, graphite.В работе были проведены исследования механизма процесса вакуумного диффузионного боросилицирования материалов в парах хлористого натрия. Используя термодинамический расчет химических реакций между парами активатора и компонентами насыщающей порошковой смеси был определен состав газовой среды в этом процессе для температур Т = 1400 – 1600 К и давлений Р = 1.33 – 1333 Па, при содержании бора 1 и 10 вес.% в засыпке. На примере вакуумного активированного боросилицирования графита установлен механизм образования диффузионного слоя.В роботі були проведені дослідження механізму процесу вакуумного дифузійного боросиліціювання матеріалів у парах хлористого натрію. Використовуючи термодинамічний розрахунок хімічних реакцій між парами активатора та компонентами насичуючої порошкової суміші був визначений склад газового середовища у цьому процесі для температур Т = 1400 – 1600 К та тисків Р = 1.33 – 1333 Па, при вмісті бору 1 та 10 ваг.% в засипці. На прикладі вакуумного активованого боросиліціювання графіту встановлено механізм утворення дифузійного шар

Antipersistent binary time series

Completely antipersistent binary time series are sequences in which every time that an $N$-bit string $\mu$ appears, the sequence is continued with a different bit than at the last occurrence of $\mu$. This dynamics is phrased in terms of a walk on a DeBruijn graph, and properties of transients and cycles are studied. The predictability of the generated time series for an observer who sees a longer or shorter time window is investigated also for sequences that are not completely antipersistent.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Deciphering the molecular adaptation of the king scallop (Pecten maximus) to heat stress using transcriptomics and proteomics

Background The capacity of marine species to survive chronic heat stress underpins their ability to survive warming oceans as a result of climate change. In this study RNA-Seq and 2-DE proteomics were employed to decipher the molecular response of the sub-tidal bivalve Pecten maximus, to elevated temperatures. Results Individuals were maintained at three different temperatures (15, 21 and 25 °C) for 56 days, representing control conditions, maximum environmental temperature and extreme warming, with individuals sampled at seven time points. The scallops thrived at 21 °C, but suffered a reduction in condition at 25 °C. RNA-Seq analyses produced 26,064 assembled contigs, of which 531 were differentially expressed, with putative annotation assigned to 177 transcripts. The proteomic approach identified 24 differentially expressed proteins, with nine identified by mass spectrometry. Network analysis of these results indicated a pivotal role for GAPDH and AP-1 signalling pathways. Data also suggested a remodelling of the cell structure, as revealed by the differential expression of genes involved in the cytoskeleton and cell membrane and a reduction in DNA repair. They also indicated the diversion of energetic metabolism towards the mobilization of lipid energy reserves to fuel the increased metabolic rate at the higher temperature. Conclusions This work provides preliminary insights into the response of P. maximus to chronic heat stress and provides a basis for future studies examining the tipping points and energetic trade-offs of scallop culture in warming oceans

Reproduction patterns of the bloody cockle Senilia senilis (Linnaeus 1758) in the Sine-Saloum inverse estuary

Understanding the reproductive biology of a species is an important means of determining the renewal capacity of natural stocks, especially in the case of heavily exploited species. It is a fundamental element in supporting the implementation of management measures. Here, we studied the bloody cockle (S. senilis) in the Sine-Saloum, with the aim of describing its seasonal and spatial reproductive cycle. S. senilis reproduction was studied over an annual cycle at two sites chosen for their contrasting situations along the upstream-downstream gradient. The reproductive cycle was studied by histological analysis of a pool of individuals maintained in-situ and sampled throughout the year. Our results showed that gamete maturation is asynchronous within and between individuals. Gametogenesis mostly occurred in October. The maturation stage showed a seasonal pattern with continuous reproduction throughout the year, with two preferred periods between May and July and December and February. The reproductive cycle is highly dependent on temperature and salinity variations, resulting in a seasonal cycle and spatial heterogeneity. The temperature induces gametogenesis and salinity synchronizes the spawning periods

Modelling paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) accumulation in Crassostrea gigas by using Dynamic Energy Budgets (DEB)

As other filter-feeders, Crassostrea gigas can concentrate paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) by consuming dinoflagellate phytoplankton species like Alexandrium minutum. Intake of PST in oyster tissues mainly results from feeding processes, i.e. clearance rate, pre-ingestive sorting and ingestion that are directly influenced by environmental conditions (trophic sources, temperature). This study aimed to develop a mechanistic model coupling the kinetics of PST accumulation and bioenergetics in C. gigas based on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory. For the first time, the Synthesizing Units (SU) concept was applied to formalize the feeding preference of oysters between non-toxic and toxic microalgae. Toxin intake and accumulation were both dependent on the physiological status of oysters. The accumulation was modelled through the dynamics of two toxin compartments: (1) a compartment of ingested but non-assimilated toxins, with labile toxins within the digestive gland eliminated via faeces production; (2) a compartment of assimilated toxins with a rapid detoxification rate (within a few days). Firstly, the DEB-PST model was calibrated using data from two laboratory experiments where oysters have been exposed to A. minutum. Secondly, it was validated using data from another laboratory experiment and from three field surveys carried out in the Bay of Brest (France) from 2012 to 2014. To account for the variability in PST content of A. minutum cells, the saxitoxin (STX) amount per energy units in a toxic algae (ρPST) was adjusted for each dataset. Additionally, the effects of PST on the oyster bioenergetics were calibrated during the first laboratory experiment. However, these effects were shown to depend on the strain of A. minutum. Results of this study could be of great importance for monitoring agencies and decision makers to identify risky conditions (e.g. production areas, seawater temperature), to properly assess detoxification step (e.g. duration, modalities) before any commercialization or to improve predictions regarding closing of shellfish areas

Influence of 'Trichobilharzia regenti' (Digenea: Schistosomatidae) on the defence activity of 'Radix lagotis' (Lymnaeidae) haemocytes

Radix lagotis is an intermediate snail host of the nasal bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti. Changes in defence responses in infected snails that might be related to host-parasite compatibility are not known. This study therefore aimed to characterize R. lagotis haemocyte defence mechanisms and determine the extent to which they are modulated by T. regenti. Histological observations of R. lagotis infected with T. regenti revealed that early phases of infection were accompanied by haemocyte accumulation around the developing larvae 2–36 h post exposure (p.e.) to the parasite. At later time points, 44–92 h p.e., no haemocytes were observed around T. regenti. Additionally, microtubular aggregates likely corresponding to phagocytosed ciliary plates of T. regenti miracidia were observed within haemocytes by use of transmission electron microscopy. When the infection was in the patent phase, haemocyte phagocytic activity and hydrogen peroxide production were significantly reduced in infected R. lagotis when compared to uninfected counterparts, whereas haemocyte abundance increased in infected snails. At a molecular level, protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) were found to play an important role in regulating these defence reactions in R. lagotis. Moreover, haemocytes from snails with patent infection displayed lower PKC and ERK activity in cell adhesion assays when compared to those from uninfected snails, which may therefore be related to the reduced defence activities of these cells. These data provide the first integrated insight into the immunobiology of R. lagotis and demonstrate modulation of haemocyte-mediated responses in patent T. regenti infected snails. Given that immunomodulation occurs during patency, interference of snail-host defence by T. regenti might be important for the sustained production and/or release of infective cercariae