Characteristics of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> biosorption with aerobic granular biomass

Experimental studies were conducted on the feasibility of aerobic granular biomass as a novel type of biosorbent for Pb^2＋ removal. The results show that the initial pH, Pb^2＋ concentration （Co） and biomass concentration （X0） affected the biosorption process significantly. Both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models describe the biosorption process accurately, with correlation coefficients of 0.932 and 0.959 respectively. The Pb^2＋ biosorpUon kinetics is interpreted as having two stages, with the second stage described reasonably well by a Lagergren pseudo-second order model. Moreover, the surface change of granular biomass after the Pb^2＋ biosorption process appears to be caused by ion exchange and metal chelation according to the analysis results of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy （ESEM） and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy （EDX）.     

Biosorption of Cu（Ⅱ） and Pb（Ⅱ） by Auricularia polytricha

For searching biological material for heavy metal removal of waste-water, using macrofungus Auricularia polytricha as biosorbent for Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ removal was investigated. After shaking and biosorbing Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ in solution by biosorbents, the filtrates were tested by AAS and the adsorbed quantity of Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ was calculated. The biosorbents were effective in removal of Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ on the biosorbents that showed a high- est value around pH 5-6. The biosorption rate of Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ on A. polytricha biomass decreased with increasing the initial concentration of Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ in the medium. The biosorption of Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ on the biomasses follows pseudo-second order kinetics. The determined maximum biosorption capacities presented by the fungus biomass were 3.34 and 13.03 mg·g^-1 dry weight for Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋, respectively by the biosorption equilibrium with Langmuir adsorption isotherm. According to the whole data analysis in each experiment of studying Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ biosorption including condition factors and adsorption isotherm, the adsorbed capacity of Pb^2＋ by A. polytricha biomass was bigger than Cu^2＋. The biosorption by A. polytricha was most effective when pH 5-6. The biosorbents are suitable for low Cu^2＋ and Pb^2＋ concentration waste-water, especially for Pb^2＋ removal.     

Adsorption and reduction of palladium (Pd2+) by Bacillus licheniformis R08

Preliminary study on the mechanism of Pd2+ biosorption by resting cells of Bacillus licheniformis R08 biomass has been carried out by means of chemical kinetics and AAS, TEM, XRD and FTIR methods. The results showed that at 30℃ and pH 3.5, when dry R08 biomass powder (800 mg/L) was mixed with Pd2+ (100 mg/L) for 45 min, the rate constant k of biosorption of Pd2+ attained a maximum of 5.97×10-2 min-1 and the half life period of the reaction reached 12 min. The part of Pd2+ adsorbed by R08 biomass was reduced to elemental, cell-bound Pd0 at the same condition. The cell wall of R08 biomass was the primary location for accumulating Pd2+, and aldoses, I. E. Hydrolysate of a part of polysaccharides on the peptidoglycan layer in the acidic medium, serving as the electron donor, in situ reduced the Pd2+ to Pd0.     

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy on the B′2Σ+ and B2Π states of NS

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization （REMPI） spectra of N^32S and N^34S have been recorded in the range of 35700-40200 cm^-1. The radical was generated by a pulsed dc discharge of a mixture of SF6 and N2 under a supersonic free jet condition. All the 16 observed bands of N^32S radicals have been assigned, among which 12 bands belong to three transition progressions （v′=0-4, 0）, （v′=1-4, 1） and （v′=2-4, 2） from the X^2П ground state to the B′^2∑^＋ upper state and the rest correspond to （9, 0）, （10, 0）, （11, 0） and （12, 0） bands of B^2П-X^2П transition, respectively. Analysis of the rotationally resolved spectra yields exhaustive spectroscopic constants of both the X^2П ground state and the B′^2∑^＋ excited state. The electronic transition bands of the isotopic molecule N^34S have been rotationally analyzed for the first time and the rotational constants of the ground and upper states have been determined simultaneously.     

Effects of anions on the biosorption of microelement cations by macroalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enteromorpha prolifera</Emphasis> in single- and multi-metal systems

The results of research on the effects of anions on the biosorption of microelement cations by the edible marine macroalga Enteromorpha prolifera in singleand multi-metal systems are discussed in this paper. It was shown that the maximum biosorption capacity (qmax) in a single-metal system of Co(II) ions decreased in the following sequence: Cl- (46.0 mg g-1) > SO42- (42.8 mg g-1) > NO3- (41.9 mg g-1). In multi-metal systems, in which the ratios of Cl-, NO3-, and SO42- were 0:0:4, 1:1:2, 3:0:1, and 4:0:0, there were clear differences among the biosorption capacities. In all the examined systems (other than the 0:0:4 system), inhibition of the binding of microelement cations by the macroalga was observed. In all the systems, the highest value of qmax was obtained for Cu(II) cations; the value ranged from 31.9 mg g-1 in 0:0:4 (SO42- only) to 18.2 mg g-1 in 4:0:0 (Cl-only).     

Cardiac protective role of a novel erythrocyte-derived depressing factor on rats and its Ca^2＋ mechanism

The cardiac protective role of a novel erythro-cyte-derived depressing factor (EDDF) on spontaneous hy-pertensive rats (SHR), calcium overload (CaO) rats and Wistar rats and its mechanism was evaluated. Mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and LVdp/dtmax were measured by physiological recorder. The effect of EDDF on the Ca2+-ATPase activity in myocardial sarcoplasmic reticu-lum (SR) of CaO rats was determined by inorganic phos-phate assay. Calcium transport in myocytes was measured by 45Ca2+ radioactive isotope measurement. The phosphoryla-tion levels of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) in myocardial tissue of SHR and CaO rats were measured by Western blot method. And the ultrastructures of cardiac muscle cells were observed with the transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that EDDF could significantly decrease MAP, HR and LVdp/dtmax in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). It seems that the mechanism might relate with activating the Ca2+-APTase, enhancing the uptake and release of Ca2+ from SR (P < 0.05), decreasing the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 of myocytes (P < 0.01) and lightening the ultrastructural lesion of cardiac muscle cells. In CaO rats, the Ca2+-ATPase activity decreased clearly com-pared to control (64.99 7.16 vs 94.48 7.68 nmol·min-1 ·mg-1 protein, P < 0.01), while EDDF (100 mg/mL) could significantly increase the activity (87.93 ?9.54 vs 64.99 ?7.16, P < 0.05, n = 7). Both uptake and release rate of Ca2+ (祄ol 45Ca2+/g protein/min) from myocardial SR of CaO rats re-markably decreased compared to control (32.40 ?2.70 and 15.46 ?1.49 vs 61.09 ?10.89 and 25.47 ?4.29, P < 0.05); EDDF (100 mg/mL) could significantly stimulate their activi-ties (50.48 6.76 and 21.76 2.75 vs 32.40 2.70 and 15.46 1.49, P < 0.05). EDDF could evidently down-regulate the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in myocardial tissue from SHR and CaO rats (P < 0.01), lighten the ultrastructural lesion of cardiac muscle cells of SHR as well. It is concluded that EDDF seems to play protective roles on both structure and function of heart, which closely related with amelioration of Ca2+ transport and inhibition of Ca2+-MAP kinase pathway.     

Analysis of active sites for N2 and H^＋ reduction on FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase

Dinitrogen (N2) and proton (H ),which act as physiological substrates of nitrogenase,are reduced on FeMo-co of the MoFe protein. However,researchers have different opinions about their exact reduction sites. Nitrogenases were purified from the wild type (WT) and five mutants of Azotobacter vinelandii (Av),including Qα191K,Hα195Q,nifV-,Qα191K/nifV- and Hα195Q/nifV-; and the activities of these en-zymes for N2 and H reduction were analyzed. Our results suggest that the Fe2 and Fe6,atoms closed to the central sulfur atom (S2B) within FeMo-co,are sites for N2 binding and reduction and the Mo atom of FeMo-co is the site for H reduction. Combining these data with further bioinformatical analysis,we propose that two parallel electron channels may exist between the 8Fe7S cluster and FeMo-co.     

Theoretical investigations of ESR and optical spectra of crystalline KHSO4：Mn^2＋

Calculations of d-d transitions and the axial zero-field splitting parameter D in crystalline KHSO4:Mn2+ have been undertaken, with consideration of the ninth O2– ligand. Energy level values calculated in a tetragonal field are in good agreement with experimentally observed values. Occasionally degenerate energy levels of 4A1(4Eg(G)) and 4A1(4A1g(G)) were found in the tetragonal crystal field. The calculated value of D is in good agreement with experimental value for KHSO4:Mn2+.     

Near-infrared to visible up-conversion emissions of Er^3＋ doped Al2O3 powders derived from the sol-gel method

The Er3 doped Al2O3 powders were prepared by the sol-gel method using the aluminium isopropoxide [Al(OC3H7)3]-derived Al2O3 sols with addition of the erbium nitrate [Er(NO3)3.5H2O]. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al,Er)2O3 phases, γ, θ, α, and two Er-Al-O phases, ErAlO3 and Al10Er6O24, was obtained with the 1 mol% Er3 doped Al2O3 powders at the different sintering temperatures of 600―1200℃. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the 2H11/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3 , were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. The phase structure and OH content had evident influence on the up-conversion emissions intensity. The maximum intensities of both the green and red emissions were obtained respectively for the Er3 doped Al2O3 powders sintered at 1200 ℃, which was composed mainly of α-(Al,Er)2O3, less of ErAlO3 and Al10Er6O24 phases, and with the least OH content. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er3 doped Al2O3 powders.     

Up-conversion luminescence of Er^3＋ doped and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped YTaO4

The synthesis and up-conversion luminescent properties of YTaO4：Er^3＋ and YTaO4：Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ are reported for the first time. According to the measurement results of up-conversion spectra, Yb^3＋ co-doping can remarkably enhance the green （^2H11/2/^4S3/2→^4I15/2） and red （^4F9/2→^4I15/2） emissions, but depress the infrared emission （^4I9/2→^4I15/2）. With the increase of the Yb^3＋ concentration, the intensity of green emission increases, after that, when the Yb^3＋ concentration increases continuously, the intensity of green emission decreases, while those of the red and infrared emissions increase and decrease alternately. In addition, the up-conversion mechanisms of Er^3＋ doped and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped YTaO4 are also discussed. It is found that the transform of up-conversion mechanism from two-step energy transfer to cooperating sensitization takes place when Yb^3＋ concentration is increased up to 12 mol%. With the further increase of Yb^3＋ concentration, the energy-back-transfer gradually becomes the dominant up-conversion mechanism, which results in the quenching of the green emission and slight increasing of the red and infrared emissions.     

Effects of Yb^3＋ codoping on visible and near infrared emissions of Er^3＋-Yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders by the sol-gel method

The 0.1 mol% Er^3＋ and 0-2 mol% Yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders were prepared by the sol-gel method, and the phase structure, including only two crystalline types of doped Al2O3 phase, γ-（Al,Er, Yb）2O3 and θ-（Al,Er, Yb）2O3, was detected at the sintering temperature of 1000℃. The visible and near infrared emissions properties depended strongly on the Yb^3＋ codoping, and the corresponding maximal peak intensities centered at about 523, 545, 660 and 1533 nm were obtained respectively for the 0.1 mol% Er^3＋ and 0.5 mol% Yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders, which were composed of θ-（Al,Er,Yb）2O3 and a small amount of γ-（Al,Er, Yb）2O3 phases. The two-photon absorption process was responsible for the visible up-conversion emissions, and the one-photon absorption process was involved in the near infrared emissions of the Er^3＋-yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders.     

Effect of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentrations on the activity of photosynthetic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation and extracelluar carbonic anhydrase in the marine diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Skeletonema costatum</Emphasis>

The growth and activity of photosynthetic CO2 uptake and extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CAext) of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum were investigated while cultured at different levels of CO2 in order to see its physio-logical response to different CO2 concentrations under either a low (30 靘ol·m-2·s-1) or high (210 靘ol·m-2·s-1) irradiance. The changes in CO2 concentrations (4—31 靘ol/L) affected the growth and net photosynthesis to a greater extent under the low than under the high light re-gime. CAext was detected in the cells grown at 4 mol/L CO2 but not at 31 and 12 靘ol/L CO2, with its activity being about 2.5-fold higher at the high than at the low irradiance. Photo- synthetic CO2 affinity (1/ K1/2(CO2)) of the cells de-creased with increased CO2 concentrations in culture. The cells cultured under the high-light show significantly higher photosynthetic CO2 affinity than those grown at the low-light level. It is concluded that the regulations of CAext activity and photosynthetic CO2 affinity are dependent not only on CO2 concentration but also on light availability, and that the de-velopment of higher CAext activity and CO2 affinity under higher light level could sufficiently support the photosyn-thetic demand for CO2 even at low level of CO2.     

Analysis of the characteristics of the harmonics coefficient <Emphasis Type="Italic">J</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> of the Earth’s gravity field in different periods

The characteristics of the geopotential coefficient J2 in different periods are analyzed using satellite laser ranging data spanning the last 27 years.The satellites used in the analysis are Lageos1 and Lageos2.The variations in J2 are obtained by determining the dynamic orbit.The results show that there are strong seasonal and long-term variations.For different data spans,the seasonal variations agree well in terms of both amplitude and phase.Using all the data,the amplitude and phase of the annual term are 2.5 10-10 and 127°,respectively,while the amplitude and phase of the semiannual term are 0.94 10-10 and 213°,respectively.In the case of long-term variation,the secular variation in J2(J2) is-2.2 10-11 a-1 from 1984 to 2010.J2 differs for the different periods because of interannual variations,such as the "1998 anomaly".Another anomaly may have taken place during 2007-2010.Although the cause of the anomaly is unknown,it is an important observational constraint on the shape of the Earth.     

Nitric oxide suppresses stomatal opening by inhibiting inward-rectifying K<Stack><Subscript>in</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> channels in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> guard cells

We explore nitric oxide （NO） effect on K^＋in, channels in Arabidopsis guard cells. We observed NO inhibited K^＋in, currents when Ca^2＋ chelator EGTA （Ethylene glycol-bis（2-aminoethylether）-N,N,N′,N;tetraacetic acid） was not added in the pipette solution; K^＋in currents were not sensitive to NO when cytosolic Ca^2＋ was chelated by EGTA. NO inhibited the Arabidopsis stomatal opening, but when EGTA was added in the bath solution, inhibition effect of NO on stomatal opening vanished. Thus, it implies that NO elevates cytosolic Ca^2＋ by activating plasma membrane Ca^2＋ channels firstly, then inactivates K^＋in, chartnels, resulting in stomatal opening suppressed subsequently.     

Compression behavior and equation of state of Ni77P23 amorphous alloy

The compression behavior of Ni77P23 amorphous alloy is investigated at room temperature in a diamond-anvil cell instrument using insitu high pressure energy dispersive X-ray diffraction with a syn- chrotron radiation source. The equation of state is determined by fitting the experimental data accord- ing to Birch-Murnaghan equation: -ΔV/V0=0.08606P-3.2×10-4P2 5.7×10-6P3. It is found that the structure of Ni77P23 amorphous alloy is stable under pressures up to 30.5 GPa.     

Rate constants for the reaction of ozone with <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl, <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-butyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-butyl methyl sulfides

The rate constants for the ozone reactions with n-butyl methyl sulfide （n-BMS, CHaCH2CH2CH2SCH3）, sec-butyl methyl sulfide （s-BMS, CH3CH2（CH3）CHSCHa） and tert-butyl methyl sulfide （t-BMS, （CH3）3CSCH3） were measured using our smog chamber under supposedly pseudo-first-order conditions at 30002 K and 760 Torr. The experimental determined rate constants for n-butyl, s-butyl and t-butyl methyl sulfide are （1.23 ± 0.06）×10-19, （5.08 ± 0.19）×10-20 and （2.26 ± 0.14）×10-20 cm3 molecule-1· s-1, respectively. The reactivity-structure relationship of the reactions was discussed and used to illustrate the mechanism of the ozone reaction with thioethers. The results enrich the kinetics data of atmospheric chemistry.     

Soil erosion rates and characteristics of typical alpine meadow using <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs technique in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Alpine meadow is the predominant ecosystem in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.The firm turf of alpine meadow formed by sub-surface anfractuous roots can be effective in conserving water and soil.Alpine meadow is a primary contributor to the Chinese Water Tower.For quantitative assess anti-erosion ability of alpine meadow,this paper selected three typical meadow slopes with>60% vegetation coverage to evaluate soil erosion rates using 137Cs.The results showed that(1)soil erosion intensity of typical alpine meadow was slight to light.Erosion rates were 464 t km–2 a–1 in Malong Village,415 t km–2 a–1 in Yeniugou Town and 875 t km–2 a–1 in Zhenqin Town respectively;(2)soil erosion rates were correlated negatively with vegetation coverage,and the relationship was clearer at the slope scale than plot scale;(3)the relationship between soil erosion and vegetation coverage showed that vegetation coverage was a predominant factor in retaining soil and water on slopes.With complete turf and high vegetation coverage, alpine meadow was of great significance for soil conservation and prevention of soil erosion.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> at a carbon paste electrode modified with a nickel (II)-5, 11, 17, 23-tetra-tert-butyl-25, 27-bis(Diethylcarbamoylmethoxy) calix[4] arene complex and its application

Electrochemical behavior of a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with nickel(II)-5, 11, 17, 23-tetra-tert-butyl-25, 27-bis(diethylcarbamoylmethoxy) calix[4]arene (Ni (II)-L) complex and its electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide were investigated by cyclic voltammetric technique in a 5.0×10⁻² mol/L NaClO₄+1.0×10⁻³ mol/L NaOH solution. It was found that Ni(II)-L acts as an effective catalyst for the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. The modified electrode exhibited a linear response over a hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the range of 2.0×10⁻⁵−1.0×10⁻⁴ mol/L with a detection limit as low as 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol/L. The relative standard deviation was 3.5% for 5 successive determinations of H₂O₂ at 1.0×10⁻⁵ mol/L. The modified electrode was used successfully in rainwater analysis. Foundation item: Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (98J040). Biography: Li Chun ya(1972-), Ph. D. candidate, research direction: electroanalysis and electrosynthesis.     

Kinetic investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> growth of CdMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nano-octahedra

CdMoO₄ nano-octahedra were grown in situ at room temperature by reverse-microemulsion. Energy evolution from this growth process was monitored using microcalorimetry. The microcalorimetric heat flow (MCHF) curve showed a characteristic endothermic peak for the initial reaction, and double discontinuous exothermic peaks for the subsequent crystal growth. Combined with complementary characterization techniques, the evolution of morphology and size of the CdMoO₄ nano-octahedra were correlated with the MCHF peaks. Calculations based on the microcalorimetric results at 298.15 K provided rate constants of 7.56×10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ for the reaction and nucleation process and 1.59×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ for the crystallization process.     

Icariin suppresses bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts in vitro

The effect of icariin on the bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts is assessed in vitro. Osteoclasts were isolated from Japanese white rabbits and cultured on plates with a sterilized bone slice in each well. After treatment with icariin at various concentrations, the bone resorption activity of osteoclasts was evaluated by examining pit areas, superoxide anion (·O2-) generation, size and number of actin rings and intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2 ]i. As revealed by these data, icariin elicited continuous decline of [Ca2 ]i, making actin ring constricted and ·O2- generation decreased. These events resulted in smaller and fewer pits which indicate suppressed bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts by icariin.