The transport of nickel (Ni) across the renal brush border membrane of the rainbow trout was examined in vitro using brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs). Both transmembrane transport of Ni into an osmotically active intravesicular space, and binding of Ni to the brush border membrane itself, were confirmed. Nickel (Ni) uptake fitted a two component kinetic model. Saturable, temperature-depen...

Insects can vary greatly in whole-body elemental concentrations. Recent investigations of insects associated with Ni hyperaccumulator plants have identified insects with relatively elevated whole-body Ni levels. Evaluation of the limited data available indicates that a whole-body Ni concentration of 500 g Ni/g is exceptional: I propose that an insect species with a mean value of 500 g Ni/g or g...

The comparative analysis of the electrochemical deposition of Ni and Ni-Fe nanowires (NWs) into ordered porous alumina templates is presented. The method developed allows for obtaining NWs of 50 ± 5 nm in diameter and 25 μm in length, i.e., with an aspect ratio of 500. XRD data demonstrate the polycrystalline nature of Ni and Ni-Fe in a face-centered cubic close-packed lattice. Both fabricated ...

In this study kinetic investigations were combined with X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) measurements to determine Ni sorption processes on pyrophyllite, gibbsite, and montmorillonite over extended time periods (min-months). The kinetic investigations revealed that Ni sorption reactions (pH 5 7.5, [Ni]initial 5 3 mM, I 5 0.1 M (NaNO3)) were initially fast (8–35% of the initial Ni was remo...

We show that the differences in the magnetic properties of Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt alloys arise mainly due to relativity. In particular, we find that the local magnetic moment of Ni increases with the addition of Pd in Ni-Pd while it decreases with the addition of Pt in Ni-Pt, as found experimentally, only if relativity is present. Our analysis is based on the effects of relativity on (i) the spin-pola...

In order to examine whether catalyst granular size was a factor for tar removal and syngas composition enhancement, three Ni/char catalysts with 90-100 mesh (Ni/SC), 50-60 mesh (Ni/MC), and 20-30 mesh (Ni/LC) size were prepared with a mechanical mixing method and tested in an updraft gasifier. Reforming parameters investigated were the reaction temperature (650-850C), the Ni loading (5-20% of ...

—The recent discovery of herbivores that feed on Ni-hyperaccumulating plants and contain elevated Ni concentrations in their bodies suggests that Ni may be transferred to their predators. We tested this hypothesis using the high-Ni herbivore Melanotrichus boydi and four predator species: the spiders Pholcus phalangioides and Misumena vatia, the mantid Stagmomantis californica and the lacewing C...

Inanga (Galaxias maculatus) are a euryhaline and amphidromous Southern hemisphere fish species inhabiting waters highly contaminated in trace elements such as nickel (Ni). Ni is known to exert its toxic effects on aquatic biota via three key mechanisms: inhibition of respiration, impaired ion regulation, and stimulation of oxidative stress. Inanga acclimated to freshwater (FW), 50% seawater (SW...

This study investigated the effect of reaction time (minutes to months) on the surface coordination environment of Ni sorbed onto pyrophyllite using XAFS. The data suggest the appearance of multinuclear Ni complexes after a reaction time of minutes. As reaction time !>rogresses, these multinuclear Ni complexes increased in size «NNi-Ni 1.4-4.5). Ni-Ni bond distances (2.99-3.03 A) were similar t...

Nymphs of Stenoscepa sp. feed on leaves of the Ni hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii at serpentine sites in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. These sites contain Ni hyperaccumulators, Ni accumulators, and plants with Ni concentrations in the normal range. We conducted studies to: (i) determine the whole-body metal concentration of nymphs (including those starved to empty their guts); (ii) compar...