Soil respiration dynamics in <Emphasis Type=Italic>Cinnamomum camphora</Emphasis> forest and a nearby <Emphasis Type=Italic>Liquidambar formosana</Emphasis> forest in Subtropical China

Climate change can significantly affect carbon cycling of forest ecosystems.The diurnal and seasonal dynamics of soil respiration (Rs) in Cinnamomum camphora and Liquidambar formosana forests were investigated by using infrared gas exchange analyzer of Li-Cor 6400-09 each month in 2006.Soil temperature and moisture were also measured.Diurnal variations in Rs varied with daily soil temperature in the two forests.Across the growing season,soil respiration peaked on July 28 due to higher soil temperature and m...     

Toxicity of the brominated flame retardant tris-（2,3-dibromopropyl） isocyanurate in zebrafish （Danio rerio）

Tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC) is a heterocyclic brominated flame retardant that was recently detected in the environment in China. TBC is semi-volatile and can accumulate in the lipid of some species, but little is known about its effect on aquatic organisms. We exposed adult zebrafish to 0, 0.25, 1 and 4 mg/L TBC for 28 d and measured the effect on survival, growth, histopathology, hormone levels, enzyme activity, and gene expression. TBC exposure had no effect on survival or growth. We observed significant damage to the liver and gill, including hepatocellular swelling and fatty degeneration in the liver as well as proliferation and edema of epithelial cells in the gills. In addition, exposure to 4 mg/L TBC induced proliferation of goblet cells in the intestine of both sexes, acellular areas in the testis, and thinly scattered vitellogenic granules in vitellogenic oocytes. TBC exposure had no effect on the levels of thyroid hormones, testosterone, estradiol, liver superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde content, and brain cholinesterase activity. By contrast, hepatic vitellogenin and cytochrome P4501A gene expression was significantly down-regulated in both male and female zebrafish in response to TBC exposure. Our results suggest that exposure to TBC causes a variety of potential reproductive and endocrine toxic effects.     

Simultaneously catalytic removal of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> and particulate matter on diesel particulate filter

Diesel engines combine a high fuel economy with high durability and low maintenance costs and are, there-fore, used on a large scale for transportation purposes.However, the environmental pollution by diesel-engine exhausts has become more and more serious in the lastdecade, and currently the regulation of diesel emissions becomes tightened especially with respect to nitrogen ox-ides (NOx) and particulate matters (PM). Since the reduc-tion of both NOx and PM to the admitted level cannot be …     

Temporal and spatial distribution of tropospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> over China based on satellite observations

Mid-troposphere CO₂ data retrieved by the AIRS (atmospheric infrared sounder) were validated with five ground-based stations and aircraft measurements in the Northern Hemisphere. AIRS CO₂ products show good agreement with ground and aircraft observations. The data had a monthly average accuracy better than 3 ppmv. In this study, the spatial and temporal distribution of mid-troposphere CO₂ from January 2003 to December 2008 was analyzed based on this satellite product. The average concentration of atmospheric CO₂ was higher in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. The yearly average results show a gradual increase from 2003 to 2008. In China, the annual growth rate was about 2 ppmv/a, similar to the United States, Europe, Australia and India, but was slightly lower than Canada and Russia. Mid-troposphere CO₂ concentrations were higher over northern China than over southern areas, due to differences in natural conditions and industrial layout. There were four centers of high CO₂ concentration between 35° and 45°N over China, with low concentrations over Yunnan Province. There was a significant seasonal CO₂ variation with peak concentration in spring and the lowest concentration in autumn.     

A bizarre <Emphasis Type=Italic>Palissya</Emphasis> ovulate organ from Upper Triassic strata of the Zixing coal field,Hunan Province,China

Palissya,a little-known reproductive organ with a long history,is recorded from China and Asia for the first time.A new species,Palissya hunanensis(sp.nov.) ,is described from the Upper Triassic Rhaetican strata of the Zixing coal field of Hunan Province.The ovulate cone has a compound shoot system that consists of a main axis and many helically-arranged axillary structures re-ferred to as female dwarf shoots,each of which is subtended by a bract.Despite a superficial similarity,P.hunanensis differs from the typical species P.sphenolepis(Braun) Nathorst in a number of subtle but consistent features:the cone is much smaller and narrower,the bracts are much thinner,there are fewer pairs of cup-like seed scales,and the seed scales are adaxially attached to a thick axis rather than to bracts.These traits are all distinctly different from other species of the genus.Moreover,SEM obser-vation of the new species reveals morphological features of the seed scales and seeds and details of the female dwarf shoot;sig-nificantly increases our knowledge of Palissya;and provides new evidence that it is a conifer.Palissya is related to the Lower Permian Lebowskia,a voltzian conifer bearing ovuliferous structures similar to the bract plus dwarf-shoot organization of Palis-sya.Palissya-type conifers probably grew in specialized marine-continent habitats,unlike most other extant and extinct conifers that grow in drier upland environments.     

Microstructure and properties of Si-TaSi2 eutectic in situ composite for field emission

The Si-TaSi2 eutectic in situ composite for field emission is prepared by electron beam floating zone melting (EBFZM) technique on the basis of Czochralski (CZ) crystal growth technique. The directional solidification microstructure and the field emission properties of the Si-TaSi2 eutectic in situ composite prepared by two kinds of crystal growth techniques have been systematically tested and compared. Researches demonstrated that the solidification microstructure of EBFZM can be fined obviously be-cause of the relatively high solidification rate and very high temperature gradient, i.e. both the diameter and inter-rod spacing of the TaSi2 fibers prepared by EBFZM technique were decreased, and the density and the volume fraction of the TaSi2 fibers prepared by EBFZM technique were increased in comparison with that of the TaSi2 fibers prepared by CZ method. Therefore the field emission property of the Si-TaSi2 eutectic in situ composite prepared by EBFZM can be improved greatly, which exhibits better field emission uniformity and straighter F-N curve.     

Effects of soil stoichiometry of the CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/available phosphorus ratio on plant density in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia ordosica</Emphasis> communities

In soil, CaCO3 can reduce the availability of phosphorus in arid and semi-arid regions, thereby influencing plant growth. However, the effects of soil stoichiometry of the CaCO3/available phosphorus ratio (CaCO3/AP ratio) on plant density are unknown. In this study, we examined 4 Artemisia ordosica communities located in arid and semi-arid regions, and performed a pot experiment with an orthogonal design to examine the relationships between the soil CaCO3/AP ratio and plant density. The results showed that the soil stoichiometry of the CaCO3/AP ratio had a greater effect on growth of A. ordosica than either CaCO3 or AP as single factor. The influence of the soil CaCO3/AP ratio on density of A. ordosica was related to the climatic zone and the types and/or amplitudes of increases in the soil CaCO3/AP ratio. When the soil CaCO3/AP ratio was within the same amplitude and was less than 2.5, the A. ordosica density increased in the semi-arid region, whereas the density decreased with increasing soil CaCO3/AP ratios in the arid region. In the semi-arid region, when the soil CaCO3/AP ratio was within the same amplitude and the increase in the soil CaCO3 content was greater than the increase in soil AP, the A. ordosica density increased with increasing soil CaCO3/AP ratios. This means that the relationship between the soil CaCO3/AP ratio and the A. ordosica density remained the same. In the arid region, an increase in the soil CaCO3/AP ratio as a result of increased soil CaCO3 content and decreased soil AP resulted in increased density of A. ordosica. Therefore, the relationship between soil CaCO3/AP ratios and density of A. ordosica was altered by these changes in soil chemistry. Thus, the soil stoichiometry of the CaCO3/AP ratio is an important factor affecting the density of A. ordosica in arid and semi-arid regions.     

NO and H2O2 induced by Verticillium dahliae toxins and its influence on the expression of GST gene in cotton suspension cells

Nitric oxide （NO） and hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） have been shown to be important signaling molecules that participate in the regulation of several physiological processes. In particular, they have significant role in plant resistance to pathogens by contributing to induction defense genes. Here, whether NO and H2O2 participate in the resistance responses against Verticillium dahliae toxins （VD-toxins） and their effects on the expression of GSTgene are studied. The results reveal that NO and H2O2 are produced as part of a complex network of signals that respond to VD-toxins and may converge to function both synergistically and independently by inducing resistant responses. GSTgene is potentially involved in the resistance mechanism in the cotton suspension cells. NO induces the expression of GSTgene independently of H2O2. H2O2 may be a more potent signal in the resistance responses against VD-toxins.     

Reconstruction of surface ocean water <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(aq) in Nansha area,the South China Sea during the last 30 ka

The reconstruction of pCO2 in the tropic ocean is one of the most important issues to understand global climatic changes.In this study,the high-resolution stratigraphic analysis of core 17962 was conducted,which is Iocated in the southern South China Sea(SCS).The contents of sedimentary organic matter,the stable carbon isotopic composition of sedimentary organic matter,and the δ^13C values of black carbon and terrigenons n-alkanes were determined.And the δ^13Cwc value of carbon derived from aquatic was calculated.On the basis of δ^13Corg-pCO2equation proposed by Popp et al.(1989),we estimated the pCO2 in the Nansha area,SCS,since the last glaciation using δ^13Cwc instead of δ^13Corg.The results show that the average pCO2 was estimated at 240 ppm V during the last glaciation,and at 320ppm V in the Holocene.A comparison of surface sea pCO2 with the atmosphere CO2 recorded in the Vostok ice core,indicates that CO2 in surface water of the southern SCS could emit into atmosphere during the last 30ka.     

Seasonal variation of gut Cyanophyta contents and liver GST expression of mud carp （Cirrhina molitorella） and Nile tilapia （Oreochromis niloticus） in the tropical Xiangang Reservoir （Huizhou, China）

Liver glutathione S-transferase(GST) plays a major role in the detoxification of microcystins(MCs) via conjugation to glutathione(GSH).We evaluated the relationship between seasonal variation in fish gut contents and the expression of GST isoforms in mud carp(Cirrhina molitorella) and Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).We quantified the abundance and diversity of plankton in the water column and foregut of mud carp and Nile tilapia in the tropical Xiangang Reservoir between October 2007 and July 2008.The mRNA expression of 7 liver GST isoforms was determined by real-time RT-PCR.The gut contents of both species were dependent on the amount and type of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the water.The expression of liver GST genes in Nile tilapia and mud carp was positively and negatively correlated,respectively,with the abundance of toxic cyanobacteria in the fore-gut.The expression of liver GST mRNA was correlated to the abundance of toxic cyanobacteria in the gut contents of both species,suggesting that mRNA expression of GST isoforms could be used as a biomarker in Nile tilapia and mud carp to monitor cyanobacteria blooms in reservoirs.     

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.     

Effects of drug-polymer dispersions on solubility and <Emphasis Type=Italic>in vitro</Emphasis> diffusion of artemisinin across a polydimethylsiloxane membrane

Artemisinin(ART) is a sesquiterpene lactone with an endo-peroxide bridge that is thought to be responsible for its antimalarial activity.It has low oral bioavailability because of aqueous insolubility,which leads to local toxicity at the site of aggregation.The present work focused on increasing its solubility and evaluating its permeation across a model membrane to mimic transdermal delivery that bypasses the hepatic metabolism.For this purpose,physical mixtures(PM),solid dispersions(SD) and lyophilized dispersions(LD) with different drug-polymer ratios(1:0.5,1:1,1:2,1:4 and 1:9) were prepared using the hydrophilic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP).Drug-polymer dispersions were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).Solubility was measured in three solvents:de-ionized water,phosphate buffered saline(PBS) and methanol.The toluene-water partition coefficient was evaluated and compared with the literature and calculated logP values.In vitro diffusion of ART was studied across a polydimethylsiloxane membrane from a saturated solution of drug-polymer dispersions.XRD patterns showed a gradual decrease in crystallinity of ART with increasing polymer concentration,while FTIR confirmed no interactions between ART and PVP.Solubility was increased up to 4-,5-and 8-fold for LD in water,PBS and methanol,respectively.The logP for toluene-water was 2.65 ± 0.3,which is in good agreement with literature and calculated logP values.Permeation was enhanced,which is attributed to the decrease in crystallinity and increase in wettability of the drug.The ART flux was significantly higher than that of pure ART(0.12 ± 0.01) with increasing PVP concentration for SD and LD formulations.In conclusion,drug-polymer dispersions with PVP improve the pharmaceutical properties of ART in the order LD>SD>PM.     

Convergence in the<Emphasis Type="Italic">r</Emphasis>-th mean and the Marcinkiewicz type weak law of large numbers for weighted sums of<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript>q</Subscript>-mixingale arrays

L _r convergence and convergence in probability for weighted sums ofL _q-mixingale arrays have been discussed and the Marcinkiewicz type weak law of large numbers forL _q-mixingale arrays has been obtained. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10071058) Biography: Gan Shi-xin (1939-), male, Professor, research direction; martingale theory, probability limiting theory and Banach space geometry theory.     

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).     

Assessment of damage to buildings and farms during the 2011 <Emphasis Type=Italic>M</Emphasis> 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan from remote sensing data

At 13:46 on March 11,2011(Beijing time),a great earthquake of magnitude of 9.0 occurred off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan(Tohoku Region).After the earthquake,the Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth(CEODE),Chinese Academy of Sciences,quickly launched a major disaster emergency response to assess the disaster.In this paper,we have extracted buildings and farms in the heavily devastated area that includes Iwate,Miyagi,and Fukushima Prefectures,based on multi-spectral remote sensing data.We have assessed building damage by overlaying seismic intensity and building distributions.In addition,we have assessed the extent of building and farm damage caused by the tsunami through the establishment of a tsunami impact assessment model that is based on terrain and distance from the coastline.The results were partially verified by high-resolution images obtained after the disaster.The results show that about 76% of buildings in Miyagi Prefecture were affected by seismic intensity 6 and above,with 24% of the buildings and 12% of the farms destroyed by the tsunami.These huge losses were echoes at lesser amounts in Fukushima and Iwate.The results provide the support of basic data,which can be further developed by economic and social aspects of the disaster assessment.     

Identification and field evaluation of the sex pheromone of an invasive pest,the fall webworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyphantria cunea</Emphasis> in China

Pheromone gland extracts of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea （Lepidoptera： Arctiidae） were analyzed by gas chromatography （GC） and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. Based on comparison of retention times and mass spectra of synthetic standards, four compounds were identified as （9Z,12Z）-octadecadienal, （9Z,12Z,15Z）-octadecatrienal, （3Z,6Z,9S, 10R）-9,10-epoxy-3,6-heneico- sadiene and （3Z,6Z,9S,10R）-9,10-epoxy-1,3,6-heneicosatriene with a ratio of 2：33.6：58.4：6. Trapping tests showed that quaternary blend of these compounds was highly attractive to male H. cunea. Unitraps baited with the quaternary blend loading of 200-300 μg on a gray rubber septum were very effective for monitoring H. cunea populations.     

Research of Inclusion Complexation of 4,4＇-Thiodiphenol Effected by β-Cyclodextrin in Aqueous Solutions and the Effect on Photodegradation

The inclusion behavior of 4, 4＇ -Thiodiphenol （TDP）, a typical bisphenol and endocrine disruptor, reacts with β-cyclodextrin （β-CD） in aqueous solutions has been investigated by means of UV absorption spectrum and quantum-chemical calculation with Gaussian 98 software. The results show that the inclusion behavior of TDP is quite different in acidic solutions （pH 5.9） from that in alkaline solutions （pH 10.0）. This behavior difference is attributed to the different formula structures in aqueous solutions at acidic and alkaline pH values that are demonstrated by quantum- chemical modeling and calculation. TDP forms a 1 ： 1 fl-CD inclusion complex in aqueous solutions. The equiiibrium constant K was calculated to be 553.49 L/mol at pH 5.9 and 1 318.20 L/mol at pH 10.0 respectively for the inclusion complex reaction by using the modified Benesi-Heldbrand equation. After inclusion TDP＇s structure is changed especially at the inclusion part with the bond order becoming larger, which results in inhibitive photodegradation during direct photooxidation and H2O2 assisted photooxidation.