Characterising ontogenetic niche shifts in Nile crocodile using stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) analyses of scute keratin

Nile crocodiles undergo a three to five order of magnitude increase in body size during their lifespan. This shift coincides with a change in resource and habitat use which influences the strength, type and symmetry of interactions with other species. Identifying size-specific crocodile groups displaying similar traits is important for conservation planning. Here, we illustrate how stable carbon (δ(13) C) and nitrogen (δ(15) N) isotope analysis of scute keratin, together with breakpoint modelling analysis can be used to characterise ontogenetic niche shifts. Using a sample set of 238 crocodiles from the Okavango Delta, Botswana (35-463?cm total length), we found prominent size-related changes in the scute keratin δ(13) C and δ(15) N profiles close to 40 and 119?cm snout-vent length. The first shift corroborated the findings of a traditional stomach-content study conducted on the same population at the same time, and the second conformed to known crocodile ecology. This approach can be used as a first approximation to identify size-specific groups within crocodile populations, and these can then be investigated further using isotopic or other methods.     

Synthesis of exo-3-amino-10-hydroxy-hexacyclo[10.2.1.0.0.0.0]pentadecane-5,7-diene-endo-3-carboxyclic acid and endo-3-amino-10-hydroxy-hexacyclo[10.2.1.0.0.0.0]pentadecane-5,7-diene-exo-3-carboxylic acid

Treatment of hexacyclo[7.4.2.0^1,9.0^3,7.0^4,14.0^6,15]pentadecane-10,12-diene-2,8-dione with aqueous sodium cyanide produced 2,8-dihydroxy-hexacyclo[7.4.2.0^1,9.0^3,7.0^4,14.0^6,15]pentadecane-10,12-diene-2,8-lactam and with sodium cyanide, ammonium chloride and ammonium hydroxide, 2-amino-8-hydroxy-hexacyclo [7.4.2.0^1,9.0^3,7.0^4,14.0^6,15]pentadecane-10,12-diene-2,8-lactam was obtained. 10-Hydroxy-hexacyclo [10.2.1.0^2,11.0^4,10.0^4,14.0^9,13]pentadecane-5,7-diene-3-one was converted into the corresponding aminonitrile and hexacyclo[10.2.1.0^2,11.0^4,10.0^4,14.0^9,13]pentadecane-5,7-diene-10-hydroxy-3-spiro-5′-hydantoin. Treatment of the latter with barium hydroxide produced exo-3-amino-10-hydroxy-hexacyclo [10.2.1.0^2,11.0^4,10.0^4,14.0^9,13]pentadecane-5,7-diene-endo-3-carboxylic acid. The isomeric endo-3-amino-10-hydroxy-hexacyclo[10.2.1.0^2,11.0^4,10.0^4,14.0^9,13]pentadecane-5,7-diene-exo-3-carboxylic acid was obtained from 3-cyano-3-ureido-hexacyclo[10.2.1.0^2,11.0^4,10.0^4,14.0^9,13]pentadecane-5,7-diene-10-ol.     

Lessons from the first international proficiency test for the detection of spores from the honey bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae

We report on the first proficiency test in the context of honey bee disease testing on a broad international scale. Honey samples were distributed to 12 participating laboratories for isolation and identification of spores of the etiological agent of American foulbrood, Paenibacillus larvae. Of the 11 laboratories responding to this proficiency testing event, only 6 (54%) provided data that were in full agreement with the previously determined status of the honey samples; eight (72%) laboratories fell within the threshold for qualification as defined a priori in this proficiency test (=level of agreement of at least 90%). Some lessons can now be drawn from the organizational point of view and will certainly improve new initiatives to be taken.     

The South African industry use of Mössbauer spectroscopy to solve operational problems

South Africa is a country that is very rich in mineral resources but the use of Mössbauer spectroscopy to solve operational industrial problems is however very limited. In the Bushveld Igneous Complex the main minerals extracted from the ore are the platinum group metals and chromium, but secondary recovery of base metals such as nickel, copper and cobalt forms an integral part of the process. Losses of nickel in the slag can amount to about 4 % and subsequent a slag cleaning furnace is used to reduce the loss to less than 0.5 % nickel oxide. The Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio and mineralogy was used to determine the partial oxygen pressure in the furnaces and also the efficiency of the nickel recovery. From the Mössbauer results, augmented with XRD, SEM, EMP-WDX and MLA analyses, optimum conditions were determined to ensure minimum metal losses. The use of Mössbauer spectroscopy in the coal industry, to investigate mineral changes that occur during its use, is also of importance. The main minerals present in coal were determined with the aid of various techniques, such as Mössbauer, XRD, SEM and HR-TEM, with the major iron minerals found to be pyrite, illite, ankerite and jarosite. A large quantity of coal is used to produce syngas via gasification plants for the production of synthetic fuels. The change of the mineral matter during gasification was studied and the changes occurring during the gasification process were followed. The syngas produced, is further treated by means of the Fischer–Tropsch process where an iron catalyst is incorporated in the process. The usefulness and fouling of the catalyst is being studied with the aid of Mössbauer spectroscopy. The calibration of equipment to determine work hardening in mining equipment was also investigated and found to be a useful tool in industry. From the above few examples it is evident that, although used on a limited base, Mössbauer spectroscopy, augmented by various other spectroscopic tools, still ensures optimal recovery and production of the vast resource base of South Africa.     

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange in tricyclohexylphosphine complexes

Summary The reactions of D₂ with OsHCl(CO)(PCy₃)₂ and the deuteriation reaction with C₂H₅OD have been studied. The deuteriation ratios in the PCy₃ ligand have been calculated. The reaction mechanism for the deuteriation in C₂H₅OD is discussed.     

Problems and solutions

Problems and solutions