Display of probability densities for data from a continuous distribution

Based on cumulative distribution functions, Fourier series expansion and Kolmogorov tests, we present a simple method to display probability densities for data drawn from a continuous distribution. It is often more efficient than using histograms.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, presented at Computer Simulation Studies XXIV, Athens, GA, 201

Air exposure of coral is a significant source of dimethylsulfide (DMS) to the atmosphere

Corals are prolific producers of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). High atmospheric concentrations of the DMSP breakdown product dimethylsulfide (DMS) have been linked to coral reefs during low tides. DMS is a potentially key sulfur source to the tropical atmosphere, but DMS emission from corals during tidal exposure is not well quantified. Here we show that gas phase DMS concentrations (DMSgas) increased by an order of magnitude when three Indo-Pacific corals were exposed to air in laboratory experiments. Upon re-submersion, an additional rapid rise in DMSgas was observed, reflecting increased production by the coral and/or dissolution of DMS-rich mucus formed by the coral during air exposure. Depletion in DMS following re-submersion was likely due to biologically-driven conversion of DMS to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Fast Repetition Rate fluorometry showed downregulated photosynthesis during air exposure but rapid recovery upon re-submersion, suggesting that DMS enhances coral tolerance to oxidative stress during a process that can induce photoinhibition. We estimate that DMS emission from exposed coral reefs may be comparable in magnitude to emissions from other marine DMS hotspots. Coral DMS emission likely comprises a regular and significant source of sulfur to the tropical marine atmosphere, which is currently unrecognised in global DMS emission estimates and Earth System Models

Homology modelling and spectroscopy, a never-ending love story

Homology modelling is normally the technique of choice when experimental structure data are not available but three-dimensional coordinates are needed, for example, to aid with detailed interpretation of results of spectroscopic studies. Herein, the state of the art of homology modelling will be described in the light of a series of recent developments, and an overview will be given of the problems and opportunities encountered in this field. The major topic, the accuracy and precision of homology models, will be discussed extensively due to its influence on the reliability of conclusions drawn from the combination of homology models and spectroscopic data. Three real-world examples will illustrate how both homology modelling and spectroscopy can be beneficial for (bio)medical research

Measurement of the Generalized Polarizabilities of the Proton in Virtual Scattering at Q2=0.92 and 1.76 GeV2: I. Low Energy Expansion Analysis

Virtual Compton Scattering is studied at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility at low Center-of-Mass energies, below pion threshold. Following the Low Energy Theorem for the $ep \to ep \gamma$ process, we obtain values for the two structure functions Pll-Ptt/epsilon and Plt at four-momentum transfer squared Q2=0.92 and 1.76 GeV2.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be submitted to PRL. Figs 1 and 2, lettering enlarge

Dimethylsulphide production in the Southern Ocean using a nitrogen-based flow network model and field measurements from ACE-1

Dimethylsulphide (DMS) has been implicated in climate change as a possible negative feedback to global warming, and several Models have been developed that simulate the production of DMS in the marine environment. The focus of this study is to improve the nitrogen based Gabric Model, using field data collected during the Southern Hemisphere First Marine Aerosol Characterisation Experiment (ACE-1) in the Southern Ocean in 1995. Two Model Runs (Series A and B) were carried out with six simulations of varying biotic and abiotic inputs applied over the voyage transect (41-48°S), reflecting Model default values or field values from the experiment. The abiotic inputs were time-step, dissolved dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and DMS, and the biotic nitrogen inputs were from phytoplankton, bacteria, zooflagellates, large protozoa, micro and mesozooplankton. The focus of the abiotic assessment was nutrient (nitrate) uptake and dissolved DMSP and DMS output. Model output of the biotic compartments was assessed for congruence with predicted ecological patterns of succession. Despite a limited data set the study provides a good insight into the utility of the Model, which functioned as a heuristic rather than predictive tool. In simulation 1 (Series A) where the only field value was nitrate, all latitudes from 41-48°S concurred with the ecological succession predicted by the Model authors and the successional pattern predicted by other researchers, with a double phytoplankton peak indicating remineralisation of nitrogen via the microbial loop. In many simulations the Model produced lower values of dissolved DMS than were measured, and production of DMS in the Model appears constrained. However, in simulation 5 (Series A) DMS model outputs were closest to the mean dissolved DMS levels reported on RV Discoverer. In this simulation, field values were used for phytoplankton, nitrate, dissolved DMSP and DMS, with bacterial abundance and micro and mesozooplankton increased over their Gabric default values. Also, the phytoplankton double peak occurred earlier, as did the peaks in bacteria, zooflagellates, and large protozoa. Simulations that deviated more significantly from the predicted successional patterns were characterised by single peaks in phytoplankton growth and delayed bacterial growth. Series C simulations at latitude 43°S, in an attempt to reduce phytoplankton predation by bacteria, increased DMS output reasonably successfully. However, significant recalibration of the Model is recommended in conjunction with field studies to gather vital background biological data - particularly in the areas of nutrient limitation, phytoplankton speciation, and the cellular content of the DMS precursor compound, DMSP