Analysis of predictive thermodynamic models for estimation of polycyclic aromatic solid solubility in hot pressurized water

This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License.The ability of two thermodynamic approaches to predict the solubility of solid compounds in hot pressurized water is studied and compared. The Regular Solution Theory, based on the solubility parameter concept, and UNIFACbased models were applied to calculate the solute activity coefficient and then, solubility predictions were compared with experimental data reported in the literature. The analysis was carried out considering polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model substances, i.e. substances which contain only the aromatic AC and ACH groups, and for which reliable pure physical properties such as melting point, fusion enthalpy and molar volume are available in the literature. The solubility values predicted with the UNIFAC-based models were considerably better than those obtained with the solubility parameter approach. Particularly, the modified Dortmund UNIFAC model presented an appropriate functionality of solubility with temperature, and the extension of this model to other type of aromatic compounds also provided a satisfactory prediction of solubility data.This work has been financed by project S2009-AGR- 1469 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) and CSD2007-00063 FUN-CFOOD (Programa CONSOLIDERINGENIO 2010) project.Peer Reviewe

Atlantic bluefin tuna spawn early to avoid metabolic meltdown in larvae

To predict shifts in phenology and distribution of organisms we need to understand how survival through early life stages depends on environmental conditions. Here, we present a mechanistic model of development, feeding and bioenergetics of early life stages in bluefin tuna and predict the optimal time of the year for them to be born. We find that the availability of prey, particularly nauplii, is sufficient for fast growth in tuna larvae while temperature is moderate during midsummer, but not when temperatures increase later in summer. High temperatures benefit egg and yolk-sac stages, but the metabolic needs of feeding larvae are hard to sustain during the warmest periods. Heatwaves, such as the one in 2003, increase larval survival potential, but shorten the viable part of the season for the larvae. Atlantic bluefin tuna is a large, highly migratory marine top predator that spawns while temperatures are rising, but before the heat leads to a metabolic meltdown in larvae. This means that food resources modulate how temperature change shifts optimal phenology.En prensa

Analysis of predictive thermodynamic models for estimation of polycyclic aromatic solid solubility in hot pressurized water

The ability of two thermodynamic approaches to predict the solubility of solid compounds in hot pressurized water is studied and compared. The Regular Solution Theory, based on the solubility parameter concept, and UNIFACbased models were applied to calculate the solute activity coefficient and then, solubility predictions were compared with experimental data reported in the literature. The analysis was carried out considering polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model substances, i.e. substances which contain only the aromatic AC and ACH groups, and for which reliable pure physical properties such as melting point, fusion enthalpy and molar volume are available in the literature. The solubility values predicted with the UNIFAC-based models were considerably better than those obtained with the solubility parameter approach. Particularly, the modified Dortmund UNIFAC model presented an appropriate functionality of solubility with temperature, and the extension of this model to other type of aromatic compounds also provided a satisfactory prediction of solubility data.This work has been financed by project S2009-AGR-1469 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) and CSD2007-00063 FUN-CFOOD (Programa CONSOLIDERINGENIO 2010) project

First observations of the X-ray transient EXO 2030+375 with IBIS/ISGRI

We present a first INTEGRAL observation of the 42s transient X-ray pulsar EXO 2030+375 with IBIS/ISGRI. The source was detected during Cyg X-1 observations in December 2002. We analyzed observations during the outburst period from 9 to 21 December 2002 with a total exposure time of ~770 kiloseconds. EXO 2030+375 was almost always detected during single ~30 minute exposures in the 18-45 energy bands. The source light curve shows the characteristic outburst shape observed in this source.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures (1 in CMYK color), accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics, INTEGRAL special issue, 200

Ephyrae and metaephyrae of Pelagia noctiluca: stage determination, morphometry and shrinkage

Understanding processes occurring in the different life stages of jellyfish is key to advance knowledge on their trophic interactions and population dynamics. We describe four developmental stages of Pelagia noctiluca ephyrae and metaephyrae based on the progress of feeding structures and morphometric measurements on the central disc diameter and total body diameter. Size differs significantly among stages, but it can overlap substantially, suggesting that it is not always coupled with development progress due to different somatic growth. Morphological distinction of stages is biologically important because it implies different levels of food specialization and capture efficiency. We further report a 25% (±13 SD) shrinkage of ephyrae and metaephyrae after storage in 4% formaldehyde solution. This metric can be used in ecological studies focusing on size-related traits of field observed individuals.Postprint1,74

Effects of the presence of skins during alcoholic fermentation on the composition of wine volatiles

Der Einfluß des Beerenhautkontaktes während der alkoholischen Gärung auf die Zusammensetzung der WeinaromakomponentenDie Zusammensetzung der flüchtigen und nichtflüchtigen Inhaltsstoffe von Weinen, die aus einem Most der Rebsorte Cencibel unter vier verschiedenen Gärungsbedingungen gewonnen wurden, wird beschrieben. Die Vergärung durch Saccharomyces cerevisiae erfolgte mit oder ohne Beerenhäute und mit oder ohne SO2. Die mittels konventioneller Analysenmethoden und auf gaschromatographischem Wege gewonnenen Daten wurden der Faktoren- und Clusteranalyse unterzogen. Bei einigen Komponenten traten signifikante Konzentrationsunterschiede in Abhängigkeit von den Gärungsbedingungen auf

Buoyancy of Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus eggs obtained from captive broodstock spontaneous spawning events

One way to alleviate the pressure on the wild fishery of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) and aid in its conservation could be its domestication and the development of a self-sustained industry to rear the larvae and produce fingerlings in captive conditions for further grow-out. The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) is carrying out several research projects on this target for the last 12 years. No one has yet measured the vertical distribution and the in situ buoyancy of bluefin tuna eggs in any of its spawning areas in the world (Mac Kenzie and Mariani, 2012). In the present study the density of bluefin tuna eggs has been measured, comparing it with those of other fish species, particularly Atlantic bonito. We have estimated the speed by which BFT eggs rise to the surface to get a better idea of the potential loss of spawned eggs dragged by the currents out of the cage

Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea

Thunnus thynnus (Atlantic bluefin tuna, ABT) and other tuna species reproduce in the Mediterranean Sea during the summer period. Despite the Central Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Sicily in particular, being a key spawning site for many tuna species, little is known on the effects of oceanographic variability on their larval distribution in this area. The abundance and presence-absence of larval specimens for three tuna species (ABT, bullet tuna and albacore) were modeled in order to examine their relationships with environmental factors, by analysing historical in situ information collected during seven annual surveys (2010–2016). The results revealed that most tuna larvae for the three species were found in the easternmost part of the study area, south of Capo Passero. This area is characterized by a stable saline front and warmer nutrient-poor water, and it has different environmental conditions, compared with the surrounding areas. The models used to investigate the presence-absence and abundance of the three species showed that ABT was the most abundant, followed by bullet tuna and albacore. The presence and abundance data collected are comparable with those of other spawning areas in the Mediterranean. Regarding biological and physical parameters, the results suggest that temperature, salinity, and day of the year are the key factors for understanding the ecological mechanisms and geographical distribution of these species in this area. Temperature affects the presence of ABT larvae and salinity, which, with a physical barrier effect, is a key factor for the presence-absence of bullet and albacore and for albacore abundance