Non-selective signal loss in the 13C CPMAS NMR spectra of soil organic matter. Investigations of particle size fractions

In 13C cross-polarisation magic angle spinning (CPMAS) spectra of soil samples, the paramagnetic soil constituents partially discriminate against the signal intensity of the 13C atoms. The aim of the present study was to check to what extent this signal depression depends on the paramagnetic ion content and if it is selective for a certain kind of carbon species. The spectra of a variety of particle size fractions of five quite different soils were recorded. A procedure was developed to compare quantitatively the relative carbon content of the different spectra. It was found that iron ions differ in their efficiency to discriminate against the carbon signals. Nevertheless a strong linear correlation between the detectability of carbon and cube root(wt.%Fe) was observed for both the total signal and the signal of the different carbon species as well. This underlines that iron ions mainly influence the depression of the 13C signal in soil spectra. Furthermore we found, that for C: Fe ratios of 1.5 to 20 non-selective signal losses dominate. Despite a high percentage of non-detectable carbon (up to 90%), the 13C CPMAS spectra of our soil samples correctly reflect the relative composition of soil organic matter.     

Mediterranean land systems under global change: current state and future challenges

Regional Environmental Change -     

内源碳PHA的贮存对混合菌群耐低温特性的影响

本文研究碳源调控磷回收强化生物脱氮除磷（biological bio-nutrient removal-carbon regulation and phosphorus recovery,BBNR-CPR）反应器耐低温特性.不断降低BBNR-CPR反应器运行温度,发现BBNR-CPR反应器能够长期在低温（≤15℃）、低C/N比（<4.16）条件下稳定运行,维持总磷的平均去除率为91.20%,氨氮的平均去除率为81.10%,总氮的平均去除率为58.62%.随着运行时间的增加与温度的下降,BBNR-CPR反应器生物内膜具有脱氮除磷以及PHA贮存功能的种属Candidatus_Competibacter、Candidatus_Accumulibacter、Run-SP 154、Thauera、Candidatus_Nitrotoga的相对丰度不断提高,成为耐受低温条件的优势种属.在相同碳源浓度、合成PHA的时间一致的条件下,生物膜内PHA的合成量受温度影响;25、15和8℃合成的PHA量分别占生物膜干重的16.24%、11.49%和9.01%.预贮存PHA的生物膜具有耐受低温的能力;在高PHA水平,8℃和15℃的除磷效率分别为97.46%和100%,脱氮效率分别为55.15%和82.55%;而在低PHA水平,8℃和15℃的除磷效率分别为11.39%和35.02%,脱氮效率分别为0%和12.10%.     

Jack-of-all-trades master of all? Snake vertebrae have a generalist inner organization

Snakes are a very speciose group of squamates that adapted to various habitats and ecological niches. Their ecological diversity is of particular interest and functional demands associated with their various styles of locomotion are expected to result in anatomical specializations. In order to explore the potential adaptation of snakes to their environment we here analyze variation in vertebral structure at the microanatomical level in species with different locomotor adaptations. Vertebrae, being a major element of the snake body, are expected to display adaptations to the physical constraints associated with the different locomotor modes and environments. Our results revealed a rather homogenous vertebral microanatomy in contrast to what has been observed for other squamates and amniotes more generally. We here suggest that the near-absence of microanatomical specializations in snake vertebrae might be correlated to their rather homogeneous overall morphology and reduced range of morphological diversity, as compared to lizards. Thus, snakes appear to retain a generalist inner morphology that allows them to move efficiently in different environments. Only a few ecologically highly specialized taxa appear to display some microanatomical specializations that remain to be studied in greater detail.     

Cryptic multiple hypotheses testing in linear models: overestimated effect sizes and the winner's curse

Fitting generalised linear models (GLMs) with more than one predictor has become the standard method of analysis in evolutionary and behavioural research. Often, GLMs are used for exploratory data analysis, where one starts with a complex full model including interaction terms and then simplifies by removing non-significant terms. While this approach can be useful, it is problematic if significant effects are interpreted as if they arose from a single a priori hypothesis test. This is because model selection involves cryptic multiple hypothesis testing, a fact that has only rarely been acknowledged or quantified. We show that the probability of finding at least one ‘significant’ effect is high, even if all null hypotheses are true (e.g. 40% when starting with four predictors and their two-way interactions). This probability is close to theoretical expectations when the sample size (N) is large relative to the number of predictors including interactions (k). In contrast, type I error rates strongly exceed even those expectations when model simplification is applied to models that are over-fitted before simplification (low N/k ratio). The increase in false-positive results arises primarily from an overestimation of effect sizes among significant predictors, leading to upward-biased effect sizes that often cannot be reproduced in follow-up studies (‘the winner's curse’). Despite having their own problems, full model tests and P value adjustments can be used as a guide to how frequently type I errors arise by sampling variation alone. We favour the presentation of full models, since they best reflect the range of predictors investigated and ensure a balanced representation also of non-significant results.     

Fetal de novo heterozygous variant in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene associated with growth restriction,skeletal, cerebral and vascular anomalies

Germline pathogenic variants in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) can lead to a rare neurodevelopmental disorder called metaphyseal chondromatosis with D-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria, including severe skeletal and cerebral anomalies. To the best of our knowledge, no prenatal case of an IDH1 pathogenic variant has been reported in literature. Somatic sequence variants in IDH1/2 genes are described in distinct cancers, premalignant diseases and rare inherited metabolic disorders. Amniocentesis and further genetic testing including trio exome sequencing were performed due to suspicious findings on a second trimester routine prenatal ultrasound examination. The fetus was found to have growth restriction, cerebral abnormalities (ex vacuo hydrocephalus, cerebellar and vermian hypoplasia, corpus callosum dysgenesis), brachycephaly, narrow chest, persistent left superior vena cava, liver calcifications, hyperechogenic bowel, short tubular bones and joint contractures. A de novo heterozygous variant in the IDH1 gene was detected via trio exome sequencing. The prenatal diagnosis of a de novo pathogenic variant in IDH1 in a fetus with the described phenotype, obtained through trio exome sequencing, helped parents and providers with an informed decision making about pregnancy management.     

Expositionsabschätzung mittels Modellrechnungen

Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) via daily liquid consumption (primarily through the intake of drinking water) is estimated using model calculations based on the indicator substance benzo(a)pyrene. The additional contribution to oral exposure by a consumption of solid nutrients, and by soil and dust ingestion, are evaluated using typical background conditions in Germany (conurbations of North-Rhine-Westphalia). A series of further scenarios is then applied to examine the influence of elevated PAH concentrations in the daily intake of liquid. The degree of PAH exposure via liquid only equals or exceeds the exposure via the solid fraction of the diet under very specific conditions. The contribution via liquid consumption to a total lifelong exposure of both BAP and PAH caused by dietary intake may be estimated as approximately 4 %. It increases to 56 % under a level equivalent to the Dutch intervention value for groundwater and reaches 90 % under a level equivalent to the WHO guideline for drinking water. Considering occupants who live on PAH contaminated garden allotments with private wells, the highest degree of exposure is caused by vegetables followed by house dust, then liquid diet and finally by soil. Finally, the model approach is used for evaluating the success of potential remedial treatments with respect to exposure reduction. In addition to the application of average values, conservative estimates of exposure in terms of 95 % values are set out in this publication based on sumulation methodologies.