We used a coupled biophysical model to investigate larval transport and connectivity patterns in the Gulf of Maine lobster (Homarus americanus) population. Biological 'particles' were released at over 21 000 locations every 10 days over a 4-month hatching period, and were followed from hatching through late postlarval stage. In addition to circulation and dispersion, model calculations included spatial patterns of egg production, temporal patterns of hatching, temperature-dependent development, vertical distribution and mortality. We ran the model for three larval production seasons using the same hatching patterns and individual-based modeling parameters but different flow patterns in the coastal current system. Model results gave distribution and abundance patterns of competent postlarvae that closely resembled observed, alongshore patterns of lobster settlement density. We evaluated the relative contribution of all source regions to the total number of competent postlarvae in a series of medium-size zones along the coastal shelf, many of which are used in lobster management. Connectivity depended on many factors, including patterns of egg production and transport, and the location and size of the receiving zones. Self recruitment ranged from a few percent to >90% of competent postlarvae. Although it was common for postlarvae to come from many, often distant, sources, most of the competent postlarvae in a zone originated within one to two zones in the prevailing 'up-stream' direction, forming shorter connections along the coast than the energetic currents might otherwise suggest. Inshore migrations during summer hatching may contribute to these shorter patterns of connectivity. Transport in the prevailing 'upstream' direction was also indicated.

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Bacterial cellulose loaded with palladium was fabricated into a sheet-like dip-catalyst through compositing with plant fibers.

A novel oligo(ethylenediamino)-beta-cyclodextrin-modified gold nanoparticle (OEA-CD-NP) was synthesized as a vector for DNA binding and comprehensively investigated by means of absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopies as well as transmission electron microscopy, and its plasmid transfection efficiency as a carrier into cultivated cells in vitro was also evaluated. Possessing many hydrophobic cavities at the outer space, OEA-CD-NP may have a capability of carrying biological and/or medicinal substrates into cells, which will make it potentially applicable in many fields of material science and biological technology. In contrast with OEA-CD-NP, the oligo(ethylenediamino)-lipoic amido-modified gold nanoparticle (OEA-L-NP) without CD was synthesized to investigate the interaction with DNA. The results showed that OEA-L-NPs could only weakly bind DNA.