Effect Of Different Environmental Conditions Research Articles

Effects of environmental conditions on inducing charge structures of thunderstorms over Eastern India

Abstract It is well known that environmental conditions like convective instability, aerosol loading, and availability of moisture content affect the polarity of charge structures of thunderstorms. The electrical characteristics of thunderstorms observed during the pre-monsoon season of year 2009, over Eastern India were studied to identify the effects of different environmental conditions on charge structures of thunderstorms occurring over this region. Electric field and Maxwell current data suggest that at least one of these thunderstorms had an inverted charge structure. Doppler RADAR, radiosonde, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data have been used to compare the microphysical and dynamical characteristics of these thunderstorms. The thermo dynamical structure observed by radiosonde during the day on which an inverted polarity thunderstorm was observed showed very high CAPE in the mixed-phase region compared to other thunderstorm days. Furthermore, the AOD peaked 1 day before this thunderstorm. The back trajectories of winds also suggest that the aerosols might have been transported from a desert region on that day. It has been proposed that the large ice nuclei concentration can produce dominant positive charge in the lower portion of the mixed-phase region by maintaining ice saturation.

Environmental Factors Influencing the Susceptibility of Red Hybrid Tilapia (<I>Orechromis</I> sp.) to <I>Streptococcus agalactiae</I> Infection

Streptococcosis in fish refers to re-emerging diseases causing high mortality in a variety of freshwater and marine fish throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The growth of the pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in a brain heart infusion broth was investigated under a variety of environmental conditions. The results revealed the optimal growth temperature (25 °C and 30 °C), salinity (5 and 10 ppt), and pH (7 and 7.5) values. The effects of different environmental conditions on the susceptibility of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) to S. agalactiae were also investigated. Oreochromis sp., which were kept under various environmental conditions, were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 mL of 1.56 × 105 cfu/ml S. agalactiae. Two weeks after infection, the cumulative mortality of the red hybrid tilapia held at 33 °C was significantly higher (P 0.05). These results indicate that environmental conditions at 33 °C, 15 ppt, and pH 6 increased the susceptibility of red hybrid tilapia to S. agalactiae and probably adversely affected the fish's immune system.

Tensile strength characteristics of GFRP bars in concrete beams with work cracks under sustained loading and severe environments

To investigate the effect of different environmental conditions of GFRP bars in concrete beams with work cracks subjected to sustained loads, the beams were exposed in indoor, freeze/thaw cycles and immersed in alkaline solution at elevated temperature. The bars were carefully extracted from the beams and tested in order to evaluate residual tensile properties. The results show that the tensile strength decreased significantly in the highly aggressive conditions but not in the natural conditions. The effect of GFRP bars casting in concrete beams demonstrated approximately 2.5% decrease of tensile strength caused by pore water environment in concrete beams on basis of those of the original bars. The effect of sustained loading plus work cracks demonstrated about 10.5% tensile strength decrease on basis of those of the bars only casted in concrete beams. The effect of environments under sustained loading plus work cracks demonstrated about 17% tensile strength decrease caused by a saturated solution of Ca(OH)2 and 60±2 °C tap water (pH=12–13) and about 8% tensile strength decrease caused by freezing and thawing cycle (F/T), both on basis of those of the bars of the indoor beams only under sustained loading plus work cracks. The results demonstrate the effects of the tensile strengths under different environmental conditions of GFRP bars in concrete beams with work cracks subjected to sustained loads.

Extra-pair paternity in two sympatric Aegithalos tits: patterns and implications

The explanation for extra-pair paternity (EPP) variation continues to attract research interest in the area of avian breeding systems. Comparisons among closely related species are recommended to explore factors that affect EPP rate variations. We utilised microsatellite markers to investigate extra-pair paternity in two sympatric populations of congeneric Black-throated Tits, Aegithalos concinnus, and Silver-throated Tits, A. glaucogularis. The two species share a similar breeding period at our study site and have helpers during breeding at some nests. The results suggest that the two species had low levels of extra-pair paternity: 5.7 % of the offspring in the Black-throated Tits and 6.8 % of the offspring in the Silver-throated Tits. The proportion of broods with extra-pair paternity in the Silver-throated Tits (33.3 %) was higher overall than the Black-throated Tits (17.2 %). This difference is consistent with the prediction by their different male attendance of incubation, but failed to be explained by major ecological factors. On the one hand, we conducted the study at the same site during the same time, which therefore limited the potential effect of different environmental conditions and habitat on their EPP incidence. On the other hand, other factors such as the inter-nest distances failed to explain the observed pattern. Current results also could not rule out an effect of evolutionary history on the EPP patterns of these two related species. Our research on their cooperative breeding system found a low proportion of cooperative breeding nests with offspring sired by helpers (Black-throated Tit, 8.3 % and Silver-throated Tit, 25.0 %), indicating that a direct reproductive benefit is not a likely major reason for the existence of the helpers in these two species.

The effect of different environmental conditions on the encystation of Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype

In this study, Acanthamoeba castellanii was cultivated under different stress conditions to induce possible encystation. The morphological and histological properties were analysed by light and electron microscopy as well as cyst-specific staining. The findings revealed that cysts prepared through liquid medium using higher osmolarity as a trigger (10% glucose with 50mM magnesium chloride for 72h) are similar to cysts prepared using non-nutrient agar (nutrient deprivation as a trigger in plating assays for 14days), as determined by SDS-resistance, cyst-specific Calcofluor white staining and transmission electron microscopy. Using liquid medium assay, A. castellanii encystation was studied by exposing trophozoites to media lacking growth ingredients (phosphate buffered saline or distilled water), inappropriate temperatures (4–45°C), pH (3–9), artificial light–dark cycles, 5% CO2, and microaerophilic conditions. Optimal encystation was observed when cells were incubated in PBS with 50mM MgCl2 and 10% glucose at 24–30°C at pH 7. Increasing temperature over 37°C or pH 9 adversely affected encystation, while light-dark cycles, 5% CO2 and microaerophilic conditions had no effect on encystation of A. castellanii. None of the aforementioned conditions had any effect on the viability of A. castellanii, as determined by Trypan blue exclusion assay. A complete knowledge of encystation in A. castellanii is crucial to our understanding of the biology of these ecologically and medically important organisms.

GidA Expression in Salmonella is Modulated Under Certain Environmental Conditions

Glucose-inhibited division (GidA) protein is widely distributed in nature, and is highly conserved among bacteria and eukarya. In our previous study, a gidA mutant was attenuated in both in vitro and in vivo models of Salmonella infection. Furthermore, deletion of gidA resulted in a marked reduction in the expression of many virulence genes and proteins, suggesting a role for GidA in the regulation of Salmonella virulence. In this study, the effect of different environmental conditions (glucose, EDTA, and pH 5) on GidA expression in Salmonella was examined. Transcriptional analysis using real-time RT-PCR and a β-galactosidase assay, displayed no differences in gidA transcription and promoter activity in different environmental conditions. Conversely, semiquantitative Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in the GidA expression in Salmonella when grown under different environmental conditions. Salmonella in vitro virulence assays showed an increased virulence potential in the environmental conditions correlating to the increase in GidA expression. Together, our data indicate that GidA expression is modulated under different environmental conditions which correlate to increased Salmonella in vitro virulence.

Effects of Geophysical Parameters on GIC Illustrated by Benchmark Network Modeling

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) are identified as a potential hazard to power grids. Significant progress in understanding the physical processes leading to GIC production and its effects on power grid components have been made in recent years. With the development of a GIC benchmark network, researchers are now equipped with a test model that can be used to separate the effects of different environmental conditions from effects of network configuration on the distribution of GIC in a system. This paper describes the effects of the environmental conditions (i.e., geomagnetic variations and earth conductivity structures) on GIC in the benchmark network. Geomagnetic variations during the October 29-31, 2003, space weather events are used, together with two realistic models of the earth conductivity (i.e., more resistive and more conductive). The results of the modeling of different geophysical scenarios expressed in terms of GIC distributions through the system and as two GIC-related indices show the crucial importance of the geophysical conditions in assessing the GIC risk to power systems.

Study of the one dimensional and transient bioheat transfer equation: Multi-layer solution development and applications

In this work we derive an analytical solution given by Bessel series to the transient and one-dimensional (1D) bioheat transfer equation in a multi-layer region with spatially dependent heat sources. Each region represents an independent biological tissue characterized by temperature-invariant physiological parameters and a linearly temperature dependent metabolic heat generation. Moreover, 1D Cartesian, cylindrical or spherical coordinates are used to define the geometry and temperature boundary conditions of first, second and third kinds are assumed at the inner and outer surfaces. We present two examples of clinical applications for the developed solution. In the first one, we investigate two different heat source terms to simulate the heating in a tumor and its surrounding tissue, induced during a magnetic fluid hyperthermia technique used for cancer treatment. To obtain an accurate analytical solution, we determine the error associated with the truncated Bessel series that defines the transient solution. In the second application, we explore the potential of this model to study the effect of different environmental conditions in a multi-layered human head model (brain, bone and scalp). The convective heat transfer effect of a large blood vessel located inside the brain is also investigated. The results are further compared with a numerical solution obtained by the Finite Element Method and computed with COMSOL Multiphysics v4.1©.

Influence of Weather Conditions on the Surface Morphology and Wetting Behaviour of Superhydrophobic Quaking Aspen Leaves

The effects of different environmental conditions on the wetting properties and surface morphology of surperhydrophobic quaking aspen leaves harvested during the 2011 growth season are examined. During this particular season quaking aspen leaves were not able to retain their superhydrophobic properties and associated surface structure features as they have usually been able to do in other years. Representative scanning electron microscopy images and wetting property measurements of quaking aspen leaf surfaces harvested throughout this season are presented and discussed with the objective of linking weather induced environmental stresses that occurred in 2011 to the sudden and unusual reduction in non-wetting properties and drastic changes in leaf surface structure. Erosion and regeneration rates of leaf wax crystals and the impact that environmental factors can have on these are considered and used to explain the occurrence of these unexpected changes.

Relationship between fumonisin production and FUM gene expression in Fusarium verticillioides under different environmental conditions

Fusarium verticillioides is the main source of fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins that can contaminate maize-based food and feed and cause diseases in humans and animals. The study of the effect of different environmental conditions on toxin production should provide information that can be used to develop strategies to minimize the risk. This study analysed the effect of temperature (15°C–35°C), water activity (a w: 0.999–0.93), salinity (0–125 g l−1 NaCl) and pH (5–8) on the growth and production of fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) and B3 (FB3) and the expression of FUM1 and FUM21 in F. verticillioides. The highest growth rate was measured at 25°C, a w of 0.998–0.99 and 0–25 g l−1 of NaCl. Optimal conditions for fumonisin production were 30°C, a w of 0.99, 25 g l−1 of NaCl and pH 5; nevertheless, the strain showed a good adaptability and was able to produce moderate levels of fumonisins under a wide range of conditions. Gene expression mirrored fumonisin production profile under all conditions with the exception of temperature: FUM1 and FUM21 expression was highest at 15°C, while maximum fumonisin production was at 30°C. These data indicate that a post-transcriptional regulation mechanism could account for the different optimal temperatures for FUM gene expression and fumonisin production.

Effects of starter cultures and fermentation climate on the properties of two types of typical Italian dry fermented sausages produced under industrial conditions

In this work, two types of traditional Italian dry fermented sausages (Felino-type and Milano-type), were analyzed as a case study. The aim was to evaluate the effect of different environmental conditions in the drying chambers and different starter cultures on the characteristics of the industrially produced sausages. At the end of ripening, the sausages obtained were analyzed to determine microbial counts, biogenic amines (BA) accumulation and volatile aroma profile by using SPME-GC analysis. These profiles were compared with the results of a trained panel group. Felino-type sausages, inoculated only with Staphylococci, were characterized by a slow pH drop and by the presence of higher BA contents. Moreover, specific enzymatic activities of Staphylococci, such as phenylalanine metabolism, were observed and these drastically modified product volatile profiles. Also the different drying conditions applied were able to affect some sensory characteristics of the final products such as hardness and chewiness reflecting different water loss kinetics.

The effects of different environmental conditions on thermoregulation and clinical and hematological variables in long-distance road-transported calves1

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-distance road transport (19 h, from Poland to Italy) during 2 seasons (summer vs. winter) on clinical and hematological variables in calves. The environmental temperature range that could compromise the thermoregulation system (thermal stress) of the calves was tested. For the 7 Holstein calves in each transport, the BW and rectal temperature (RT) were measured, and blood samples were collected at the farm of origin, before loading at the transit center (T2), after unloading at the farm of destination (T3), and 1, 2, 3, and 4 d after arrival. The body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored from T2 to T3. The data were statistically analyzed according to a mixed model that considered the fixed effects of transport (repeated measurements), season of journey, and their interaction. Within the observed temperature-humidity index (THI) range (30 to 80), effective thermoregulation allowed the calves to maintain their BT with small physiologic changes to prevent thermal stress, particularly in the summer. With no seasonal differences, the HR was greater at loading than unloading (120 vs. 115 beats per min; P = 0.012). As for the transport effect, the BW was less (P < 0.001) after unloading, and the RT was greater (P = 0.004). This effect was more marked in summer. The hematological variables indicated a moderate effect of transport on the hydration condition, reactive and muscular systems, and metabolism, although hematocrit (P = 0.004), erythrocytes, cortisol, NEFA, β-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase activity (P < 0.001), and total protein (P = 0.007) were greater after unloading. This was confirmed by a moderate decrease in total leukocytes (P = 0.031) and glucose concentration (P = 0.002). The changes in the clinical variables were similar for both seasons even though in the summer, hematocrit (P < 0.001), urea (P = 0.008), and total protein (P = 0.010) increased and glucose concentration (P = 0.038) decreased. In conclusion, the data did not show a pronounced effect attributable to the season of the journey. Long-distance road transport leads to notable changes in clinical and hematological variables at the end of the journey. However, these variables remained within their physiological ranges and returned to basal values within a few days after the journey.

A New Method of Checking Anti-Floating Stability of Buried Horizontal Tank

Anti-floating checking calculation is indispensable in the design of buried horizontal tank, in addition to the structure strength and stability to meet the requirements. A new checking calculation method propounded by synthesizing analysis and comparison drawbacks in the several existing anti-floating checking methods, and this method takes into account the effect of different environmental conditions to the anti-floating stability of buried tank. The calculation shows that the new method can effectively improve the anti-floating stability of buried tank. Anti-floating measures must be adopted to prevent tank floating if the anti-floating stability conditions are not being met.

Factors affecting storage stability of various commercial phytase sources1,2

A 360-d study was performed to evaluate the effects of different environmental conditions on storage stability of exogenous phytases. Coated and uncoated products from 3 phytase sources [Ronozyme P (DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland), OptiPhos (Phytex LLC, Sheridan, IN), and Phyzyme (Danisco Animal Nutrition, Marlborough, UK)] were stored as pure forms, in a vitamin premix, or in a vitamin and trace mineral (VTM) premix. Pure products were stored at -18, 5, 23, and 37°C (75% humidity). Premixes were stored at 23 and 37°C. Sampling was performed on d 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 270, and 360. Sampling of the pure products stored at -18 (lack of sample) and 5°C (because of mold growth) was discontinued after d 120. Stability was reported as the residual phytase activity (% of initial) at each sampling point. For the stability of the pure forms, all interactive and main effects of the phytase product, coating, time, and storage temperature were significant (P < 0.01), except for the time × coating interaction. When stored at 23°C or less, pure phytases retained at least 91, 85, 78, and 71% of their initial phytase activity at 30, 60, 90, and 120 d of storage, respectively. However, storing pure products at 37°C reduced (P < 0.01) phytase stability, with OptiPhos retaining the most (P < 0.01) activity. Coating mitigated (P < 0.01) the negative effects of high storage temperature for Ronozyme and OptiPhos (from d 90 onward), but not for Phyzyme. For the stability of phytase in different forms of storage, all interactive and main effects of phytase product, form, coating, time, and temperature of storage were significant (P < 0.01). When stored at room temperature (23°C), retained phytase activities for most the phytase sources were more than 85, 73, and 60% of the initial activity up to 180 d when stored as pure products, vitamin premixes, or VTM premixes, respectively. When stored at 37°C, pure phytase products had greater (P < 0.01) retention of initial phytase activity than when phytases were mixed with the vitamin or VTM premixes. Coated phytases stored in any form had greater (P < 0.01) activity retention than the uncoated phytases at all sampling periods. Results indicate that storage stability of commercially available phytases is affected by duration of storage, temperature, product form, coating, and phytase source. Pure products held at 23°C or less were the most stable. In premixes, longer storage times and higher temperatures reduced phytase activity, but coating mitigated some of these negative effects.

The effects of different atmospheric conditions on device stability of organic small-molecule solar cells under constant illumination

A systematic study is presented on various effects of different environmental conditions on stability and degradation of small-molecule organic solar cells under continuous simulated solar radiation. Devices were fabricated based on heterojunctions with pentacene and copper phthalocyanine as donor, and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester as acceptor materials. Seven different operating conditions were employed to investigate their degradation stability. Three simultaneous mechanisms were found to be largely responsible for device degradation: (i) photo-oxidation of active materials in the presence of light and oxygen that results in a drop of photocarrier generation and electrical transport properties of the cells, (ii) morphology instability with UV annealing reducing the charge transport within the devices and (iii) bubble formation in the vicinity of the electrodes with moisture absorption, affecting charge collection efficiency of the cells. Significant improvement in device stability was found by careful choice of operating conditions and proper encapsulation. Device lifetime enhanced by almost 100 times under UV filtered vacuum environment or with polydimethylsiloxane encapsulation as compared to a cell operated under ambient conditions without encapsulation.

Biomarker responses in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum and contamination levels in sediments from seaward and landward sites in the Lagoon of Venice

A multibiomarker approach was used to assess effects of different environmental conditions in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Bivalves were monthly collected from March 2009 to February 2010 in two sites of the Lagoon of Venice differently influenced by both anthropogenic impact and natural conditions: a seaward site (Punta Sabbioni, PS), close to the Lagoon inlet of Lido, characterised by high hydrodynamism and influenced by intense passage of ships, and a landward site (Canale Dese, CD) characterised by low hydrodynamism and influenced by both riverine inputs and agricultural waste waters. Various biomarkers were measured at cellular, tissue and organism level: total haemocyte count, pinocytotic and haemolymph lysozyme activities, gill acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in both gills and digestive gland, condition index and survival-in-air. Water temperature, pH and salinity values and total chlorophyll concentrations were measured. In addition, grain size, organic matter content, and concentrations of p,p′-DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its 5 homologues, 4 HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexanes), 13 PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), 13 PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and 18 PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were seasonally measured in surface sediments of the two sampling sites. Immunomarkers, as well as AChE activity, highlighted an overall better condition for clams from PS, whereas a different response was provided by the biomarkers measured at organism level, condition index increasing and survival-in-air decreasing in PS clams. No marked differences in sediment contamination levels (except for PAHs) were observed between CD and PS. Overall, results obtained demonstrated that biomarkers measured allowed to discriminate the two sampling sites. Considering that the contamination levels of sediments were similar between the two sampling sites, influence of abiotic factors cannot be excluded in influencing biological responses measured in clams.

Effects of Nutritional and Environmental Conditions on Salmonella sp. Biofilm Formation

Biofilm formation on food industry surfaces has important health and economic consequences, since they can serve as a potential source of contamination for food products, which may lead to food spoilage or transmission of diseases. Salmonella sp. is one of the most important foodborne pathogens and several studies have led to the discovery that these bacteria are capable of adhering and forming biofilms on different surfaces. The attachment of bacterial cells is affected by several factors, including the medium in which they are grown, motility, growth phase of the cells, type and properties of the inert material, presence of organic material, temperature, pH, contact time, and so on. This investigation focused on the study and quantification of the effects of temperature (20 to 40 °C), pH (4.5 to 7.5), and medium composition (0.5 to 2.5 g/L of peptone) on biofilm formation by Salmonella sp. on stainless steel through surface response modeling. Results highlighted that the target strain was able to adhere on stainless steel, under all the conditions tested. To assess potential differences, the aptitude to biofilm formation (ABF), defined as the time necessary to start adhesion on the surface, was calculated by using the Gompertz equation. This parameter was modeled through a stepwise regression procedure and experimental conditions resulting in the greater ABF were growth in poor media (1.0 to 1.5 g/L of peptone), incubation temperature of about 30 °C, pH close to 6.0. Practical Application: The importance of this work lies in its extension of our knowledge about the effect of different environmental conditions on Salmonella adherence to stainless steel food-processing equipment, as a better understanding of biofilms may provide valuable pathways for the prevention of biofilm formation.

Computational analysis of the influence of the microenvironment on carcinogenesis

The tumour microenvironment is known to play an important role in determining the sequence of acquired phenotypic traits that characterise cancer evolution. A more precise understanding of this role could have a major influence in the understanding of cancer growth and development, and potentially in the optimisation of innovative anti-cancer treatments delivery. However, to lead such an analysis in the basis of traditional biological experiments and observations is almost utopian given the complexity of the underlying biological processes and the typical time scales involved. In this context, computer models constitute a complementary exploratory tool. In this paper we introduce a two-dimensional cellular automaton that models key cancer cell capabilities. The model has been especially designed to mimic the behaviour of a cancer colony growing in vitro and to analyse the effect of different environmental conditions on the sequence of acquisition of phenotypic traits. Our results indicate that microenvironmental factors such as the local concentration of oxygen or nutrients and cell overcrowding may determine the expansion of the tumour colony. The results also show that tumour cells evolve and that their phenotypes adapt to the microenvironment so that environmental stress determines the dominance of particular phenotypical traits.

Effect of Storage Conditions on The Weight and Appearance of Dried Blood Spot Samples on Various Cellulose-Based Substrates

Before shipping and storage, dried blood spot (DBS) samples must be dried in order to protect the integrity of the spots. In this article, we examine the time required to dry blood spot samples and the effects of different environmental conditions on their integrity. Under ambient laboratory conditions, DBS samples on Whatman 903(®), FTA(®) and FTA(®) Elute substrates are dry within 90 min of spotting. An additional 5% of moisture is lost during subsequent storage with desiccant. When exposed to elevated conditions of temperature and relative humidity, the DBS samples absorb moisture. DBS samples on FTA lose this moisture on being returned to ambient conditions. DBS samples on 903 show no visible signs of deterioration when stored at elevated conditions. However, these conditions cause the DBS to diffuse through the FTA Elute substrate. Blood spots are dry within 90 min of spotting. However, the substrates examined behave differently when exposed to conditions of high relative humidity and temperature, in some cases resulting in the integrity of the substrate and DBS sample being compromised. It is recommended that these factors be investigated as part of method development and validation.

A novel approach for determining environment-specific protein costs: the case of Arabidopsis thaliana

Motivation: Comprehensive understanding of cellular processes requires development of approaches which consider the energetic balances in the cell. The existing approaches that address this problem are based on defining energy-equivalent costs which do not include the effects of a changing environment. By incorporating these effects, one could provide a framework for integrating ‘omics’ data from various levels of the system in order to provide interpretations with respect to the energy state and to elicit conclusions about putative global energy-related response mechanisms in the cell.Results: Here we define a cost measure for amino acid synthesis based on flux balance analysis of a genome-scale metabolic network, and develop methods for its integration with proteomics and metabolomics data. This is a first measure which accounts for the effect of different environmental conditions. We applied this approach to a genome-scale network of Arabidopsis thaliana and calculated the costs for all amino acids and proteins present in the network under light and dark conditions. Integration of function and process ontology terms in the analysis of protein abundances and their costs indicates that, during the night, the cell favors cheaper proteins compared with the light environment. However, this does not imply that there is squandering of resources during the day. The results from the association analysis between the costs, levels and well-defined expenses of amino acid synthesis, indicate that our approach not only captures the adjustment made at the switch of conditions, but also could explain the anticipation of resource usage via a global energy-related regulatory mechanism of amino acid and protein synthesis.Contact: nikoloski@mpimp-golm.mpg.deSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.