Immunosensor Interface Based on Physical and Chemical Immunogylobulin G Adsorption onto Mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers

An immunosensor interface based on mixed hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of methyl and carboxylic acid terminated thiols with covalently attached human Immunoglobulin G (hIgG), is investigated. The densely packed and organised SAMs were characterised by contact angle measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of the non-ionic surfactant, Tween 20, in preventing nonspecific adsorption is addressed by ellipsometry during physical and covalent hIgG immobilization on pure and mixed SAMs, respectively. It is clearly demonstrated that nonspecific adsorption due to hydrophobic interactions of hIgG on methyl ended groups is totally inhibited, whereas electrostatic/hydrogen bonding interactions with the exposed carboxylic groups prevail in the presence of surfactant. Results of ellipsometry and Atomic Force Microscopy, reveal that the surface concentration of covalently immobilized hIgG is determined by the ratio of COOH/CH3-terminated thiols in SAM forming solution. Moreover, the ellipsometric data demonstrates that the ratio of bound anti-hIgG/hIgG depends on the density of hIgG on the surface and that the highest ratio is close to three. We also report the selectivity and high sensitivity achieved by chronoamperometry in the detection of adsorbed hIgG and the reaction with its antibody.

THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL-PROPERTIES OF SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL JADEITE FOR JEWELRY

Jadeite was synthesized from its glass of stoichiometric composition NaAlSi2O6, and a colouring agent Cr2O3 (0.3-0.6 wt%) was added to achieve the emerald colour. The conditions employed were a pressure range of 3.0-5.0 GPa and a temperature range of 1150

Contributions of phosphatase and microbial activity to internal phosphorus loading and their relation to lake eutrophication

Phosphatase may accelerate the process of lake eutrophication through improving phosphorus bioavailability. This mechanism was studied in three Chinese eutrophic shallow lakes (Lake Taihu, Lake Longyang,and Lake Lianhua). Phosphatase activity was related to the concentration of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and chlorophyll a. Stability of dissolved phosphatase in reverse micelles may be attributed to molecular size, conformation and active residues of the enzyme. At the site with Microcystis bloomed in Lake Taihu, dissolved phosphatase activity was higher and more stable in micelles, SRP concentrations were lower in interstitial water, the contents of different forms of phosphorus and the amounts of aerobic bacteria were lower while respiration efficiency was higher in sediments. Phosphobacteria, both inorganic and organic and other microorganisms were abundant in surface water but rare in sediments. Therefore, internal phosphorus may substantially flux into water column by enzymatic hydrolysis and anaerobic release, together with mobility of bacteria, thereby initiating the bloom. In short, biological mechanism may act in concert with physical and chemical factors to drive the internal phosphorus release and accelerate lake eutrophication.

Dynamics of dimethylsulfide and dimethylsulfoniopropionate produced by phytoplankton in the Chinese seas - Distribution patterns and affecting factors

Distribution of dimethylsulfide (DMS) and/or particulate dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPp) concentrations in the Jiaozhou Bay, Zhifu Bay and East China Sea were investigated during the period of 1994 - 1998. Both DMS and DMSPp levels showed remarkable temporal and spatial variations. High values occurred in the coastal or shelf waters and low values in the offshore waters. The highest levels were observed in spring or summer and lowest in autumn. DMS or DMSPp distribution patterns were associated with water mass on a large geographical scale, while biological and chemical factors were more likely influential on smaller-scale variations. Diatoms could play an important role in total DMS or DMSPp abundance in coastal waters. Nitrate was found to have a two-phase relationship with DMSPp concentrations: positive when nitrate concentration was lower than 1 mumol/L, and negative when it was above. Anthropogenic factors such as sewage input and aquaculture also showed influences on DMS or DMSPp concentration.

水母雪莲毛状根培养及黄酮类化合物生物合成的调控

水母雪莲(Saussurea medusa Maxim)为菊科凤毛菊属植物,是名贵中药材,其主要活性成分为黄酮类化合物。为解决雪莲资源匮乏，本文开展了利用水母雪莲毛状根培养生产黄酮类活性成分的研究。 在1/2MS液体培养基上研究了不同理化因子对水母雪莲毛状根生长和黄酮类化合物生物合成的影响。实验结果表明:氮源总浓度（包括NH4+和NO3-）为30 mmol/L;NH4+/NO3-比例为5:25;2 %蔗糖和3 %葡萄糖组合;0.5 mg/L GA3和0.5 mg/L IBA;pH 5.8;18 h/d的光照（光强为3500 Lux）;24℃;摇床转速为100 rpm的条件有利于毛状根生长及黄酮类化合物的生物合成。在此培养条件下，经过21 d的培养毛状根生长量达到12.8 g/L（DW），黄酮类化合物合成量为1922 mg/L，即黄酮类化合物含量占毛状根干重的15 %，约为野生水母雪莲植株干重黄酮类化合物含量的25倍。 用MJ和SA两种诱导子分别处理水母雪莲的毛状根，适宜条件下它们均能使毛状根中黄酮类化合物的产量得到提高。实验发现，在水母雪莲毛状根培养过程中，MJ抑制其生长，但提高了黄酮类化合物在毛状根中的百分含量;SA降低了黄酮类化合物在毛状根中的百分含量，但促进其生长。诱导子的作用效果与诱导子的浓度和添加时间有关。在延迟期后期添加浓度为0.02 mmol/L的MJ时黄酮类化合物产量达到 849 mg/L，比对照（633 mg/L）提高34.1 %;在指数生长期中期添加浓度为0.03 mmol/L的SA时，黄酮类化合物产量达到968 mg/L，比对照（633 mg/L）提高52.9 %。在指数生长期前期同时添加浓度为0.02 mmol/L的MJ 和0.03 mmol/L的SA，黄酮类化合物的产量为1125 mg/L，比对照（633 mg/L）提高77.7 %。 另外采取热水、碱提取，乙醇沉淀获得水母雪莲毛状根多糖。进一步用α-萘酚—浓硫酸法进行定性、定量分析，测得水母雪莲毛状根中水溶性多糖与碱溶性多糖的含量分别为2.453 %和3.391 % 。

理化因子诱导的CP43和CP47结构与功能变化规律的研究

CP43和CP47是PSII中位于类囊体膜上的两种内周天线色素蛋白复合体，它们都是由六个跨膜的α-螺旋和五个膜外环组成。CP43和CP47的主要功能是把光系统II(PSII)外周天线色素蛋白复合体(LHCII)吸收的能量传给反应中心(RC)，从而引起光化学反应。因此，研究CP43和CP47的结构与功能对于揭示植物光合作用高效吸能、传能的分子机理具有重要意义。由于CP43和CP47的分离纯化比较困难，所以相对于其它的光合膜蛋白来说，人们对CP43和CP47的研究比较少。在本文中，我们在分离、纯化CP43和CP47的基础上，采用多种光谱学和波谱学技术对CP43和CP47在GuHCl和高温作用下的变性过程及其结构与功能的变化规律进行了比较深入的研究，获得了如下结果： 1. CP43和CP47膜外区的结构特点及盐酸胍(GuHCl)引起的变性研究 我们用荧光光谱、园二色(CD)光谱研究了GuHCl引起CP43和CP47的变性过程及其膜外区的结构特点。研究发现：CP43和CP47的膜外区具有一定的有序结构，而不是一种没有规则的伸展状态;和CP43相比，CP47的三级结构及Chl a的微环境对GuHCl更敏感。在GuHCl作用下，从β-Car到Chl a的能量传递变化和三级结构的变化密切相关，而与二级结构变化的相关性则较小;和大多数水溶性蛋白不一样，CP43和CP47对GuHCl变性有一定的抵抗力，而且其变性过程不表现为二态过程，这些都是膜蛋白的特点。 2 CP43和CP47中与芳香族氨基酸有关的能量传递研究 我们用吸收光谱、荧光光谱并参照PSII的3.5 Å的晶体结构分析结果研究了CP43和CP47中与芳香族氨基酸有关的能量传递。发现：和水溶性蛋白不一样，CP43和CP47中的酪氨酸(Tyrs)并不能有效的把其能量传给色氨酸(Trps);CP43和CP47中的芳香族氨基酸能通过Föster机制和Dexter机制把其能量传给Chl a，并且CP47中的传递效率要大于CP43;在CP47中Föster机制是芳香族氨基酸和Chl a之间能量传递的主要方式，而在CP43中Dexter机制则是主要方式。这些结果也暗示了，太阳光中的紫外辐射对植物来说除了其伤害作用以外也有一定的益处。 3 GuHCl诱导CP43和CP47变性的太赫兹（THz）光谱研究 THz时域光谱技术(THz-TDS)是研究分子构型状态的一个新工具。近年来，已被应用于物理或化学分子的研究中。我们首次把这个技术应用到光合膜蛋白CP43和CP47的GuHCl变性研究上。研究发现，在小于1.5 THz时，THz吸收光谱强度随着频率的增加而增加可以看作是蛋白质变性的标志。在GuHCl作用下频域光谱中出现的1.8 THz峰应来源于Chl a和GuHCl之间的相互作用。实验结果表明，THz光谱是区分蛋白分子的不同构型状态以及监测蛋白变性过程的有力工具。 4 CP43热变性的傅立叶变换红外光谱和THz光谱研究 我们用傅立叶变换红外光谱技术(FT-IR)、SDS聚丙稀凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)和THz光谱技术对CP43的热变性过程进行了研究。结果表明，在高温处理下，CP43的二级结构发生了变化，且其跃变点发生在59℃。随着温度的逐渐升高，CP43先发生凝集，接着又发生降解;CP43的低频振动模随着温度的升高和分子量的减小也发生变化。我们还证实THz光谱技术在监测膜蛋白的热变性时既有它的优越性，也存在一些不足之处。这些结果为THz-TDS技术在生物样品上的应用提供了基本的资料，并完善了相关的理论。

Environmental mechanism of change in cyanobacterial species composition in the northeastern part of Lake Dianchi (China)

Environmental mechanism of change in cyanobacterial species composition in the northeastern part of Lake Dianchi (also called Macun Bay and Haidong Bay) was studied using canonical correlation analysis (CCA), but also bottom-up control and top-down control were fully discussed. Results from CCA suggest: (1) the abundance and dominance of Microcystis aeruginosa in Macun Bay and Haidong Bay are influenced by total phosphorus (TP), nitrate (NO3--N), nitrite (NO2--N), dissolved oxygen (DO) and water temperature (WT); (2) water temperature has a positive correlation with the abundance of M. aeruginosa and it also has negative correlations with the abundances of Anabaena flos-aquae and Aphanizomenonon flos-aquae; and (3) abundances of both Anabaena flos-aquae and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae have positive correlations with ammonia-N (NH4+-N). Furthermore, cyanobacterial species composition has no significant correlations with light and size-fractioned iron in this study. Grazers, cyanophages and viruses were able to control cyanobacterial blooms and change the composition of cyanobacterial species. Though we studied physical and chemical factors intensely enough, we still are not able to predict the change in the composition of cyanobacterial blooms, because of plankton system in a chaotic behavior.

Gain saturation in gas flow and chemical lasers

A theoretical model for gain saturation in gas flow and chemical lasers is presented. The theory is applicable to all possible numerical values of τ/τc, where τ is the characteristie flow time for the flowing gas to move across the laser action region and τc is the characteristic collision relaxation time. The saturation effects of the convection and the "source flow" of the inverted population are revealed. A general relation of gain coefficient and some new gain saturation laws are obtained. For the special case of τ/τc1, the present theoretical results agree with the experimental results on the "anomalous" saturation phenomena in the supersonic diffusion HF chemical laser determined recently by Gross and Coffer[8]. The theory also agrees with the measured results of saturation intensity varying with τ/τc in gas flow CO2 lasers[7]. For the special case of τ/τc1, the present theory is consistent with both the standard theory[1] for gas lasers where the gas has no macroscopic motion and the known gain saturation theory[2-5] for gas flow and chemical lasers.

Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of plankton communities in Lake Donghu, China, as revealed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and its relation to biotic and abiotic factors

The 16S and 18S rRNA genes of planktonic organisms derived from five stations with nutrient gradients in Lake Donghu, China, were studied by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting, and the relationships between the genetic diversity of the plankton community and biotic/abiotic factors are discussed. The concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), NH4-N and As were found to be significantly related (P < 0.05) to morphological composition of the plankton community. Both chemical and morphological analyses suggested that temporal heterogeneity was comparatively higher than spatial heterogeneity in Lake Donghu. Although the morphological composition was not identical to the DGGE fingerprints in characterizing habitat similarity, the two strongest eutrophic stations (I and II) were always initially grouped into one cluster. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that the factors strongly correlated with the first two ordination axes were seasonally different. The concentrations of TN and TP and the densities of rotifers and crustaceans were generally the main factors related to the DGGE patterns of the plankton communities. The study suggested that genetic diversity as depicted by metagenomic techniques (such as PCR-DGGE fingerprinting) is a promising tool for ecological study of plankton communities and that such techniques are likely to play an increasingly important role in assessing the environmental conditions of aquatic habitats.

Genetic diversity of plankton community as depicted by PCR-DGGE fingerprinting and its relation to morphological composition and environmental factors in lake donghu

To collect information about the genetic diversity of the plankton community and to study how plankton respond to environmental conditions, plankton samples were collected from five stations representing different trophic levels in a shallow, eutrophic lake (Lake Donghu), and investigated by PCR-DGGE fingerprinting. A total of 100 bands (61 of 16S rDNA bands and 39 of 18S rDNA bands) were detected. The DGGE bands unique to any single station accounted for 38% of the total bands, whereas common bands detected at all five stations accounted for only 11%. Using UPGMA clustering and MDS ordination of DGGE fingerprints, stations I and II were found to initially group together into one cluster, which was later joined by station V. Stations III and IV were isolated into two separate groups of one station each. Some differences in grouping relationships were found when analysis was completed on the basis of chemical characteristics and morphological composition, with zooplankton composition showing the greatest variability. However, the most similar stations (I and II) were always initially grouped into one cluster. Moreover, stations that exhibited the same or similar trophic level (stations III and IV), but different concentrations of heavy metals, were further differentiated by the DGGE method. Results of the present study indicated that PCR-DGGE fingerprinting was more sensitive than the traditional methods, as other studies suggested. Additionally, PCR-DGGE appears to be more appropriate for diversity characterization of the plankton community, as it is more canonical, systematic, and effective. Most importantly, fingerprinting results are more convenient for the comparative analyses between different studies. Therefore, the use of the described fingerprinting analysis may provide an operable and sensitive biomonitoring approach to identify critical, and potentially negative, stress within an aquatic ecosystem.

Mechanical and chemical bonding properties of ground state BeH2

The crystal structure, mechanical properties and electronic structure of ground state BeH2 are calculated employing the first-principles methods based on the density functional theory. Our calculated structural parameters at equilibrium volume are well consistent with experimental results. Elastic constants, which well obey the mechanical stability criteria, are firstly theoretically acquired. The bulk modulus B, Shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, and Poisson's ratio upsilon are deduced from the elastic constants. The bonding nature in BeH2 is fully interpreted by combining characteristics in band structure, density of states, and charge distribution. The ionicity in the Be-H bond is mainly featured by charge transfer from Be 2s to H 1s atomic orbitals while its covalency is dominated by the hybridization of H 1s and Be 2p states. The Bader analysis of BeH2 and MgH2 are performed to describe the ionic/covalent character quantitatively and we find that about 1.61 (1.6) electrons transfer from each Be (Mg) atom to H atoms.