Diode-pumped Yb : GSO femtosecond laser

Compact femtosecond laser operation of Yb:Gd2SiO5 (Yb:GSO) crystal was demonstrated under high-brightness diode-end-pumping. A semiconductor saturable absorption mirror was used to start passive mode-locking. Stable mode-locking could be realized near the emission bands around 1031, 1048, and 1088 nm, respectively. The mode-locked Yb: GSO laser could be tuned from one stable mode-locking band to another with adjustable pulse durations in the range 1 similar to 100 ps by slightly aligning laser cavity to allow laser oscillations at different central wavelengths. A pair of SF10 prisms was inserted into the laser cavity to compensate for the group velocity dispersion. The mode-locked pulses centered at 1031 nm were compressed to 343 fs under a typical operation situation with a maximum output power of 396 mW. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.

Echolocation click sounds from wild inshore finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides sunameri) with comparisons to the sonar of riverine N. p. asiaeorientalis

Acoustic signals from wild Neophocaena phocaenoides sunameri were recorded in the waters off Liao-dong-wan Bay located in Bohai Sea, China. Signal analysis shows that N. p. sunameri produced "typical" phocoenid clicks. The peak frequencies f(p), of clicks ranged from. 113 to 131 kHz with an average of 121 +/- 3.78 kHz (n=71). The 3 dB bandwidths Delta f ranged from 10.9 to 25.0 kHz with an average of 17.5 +/- 3.30 kHz. The signal durations At ranged from 56 to 109 mu s with an average 80 +/- 11.49 mu s. The number of cycles N, ranged from 7 to 13 with an average of 9 +/- 1.48. With increasing peak frequency there was a faint tendency of decrease in bandwidth, which implies a nonconstant value of f(p)/Delta f. On occasion there were some click trains with faint click energy presenting below 70 kHz, however, it was possibly introduced by interference effect from multiple pulses structures. The acoustic parameters of the clicks were compared between the investigated population and a riverine population of finless porpoise. (c) 2007 Acoustical Society of America.

Echolocation signals of the free-ranging Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientialis)

This paper describes the high-frequency echolocation signals from free-ranging Yangtze finless porpoise in the Tian-e-zhou Baiji National Natural Reserve in Hubei Province, China. Signal analysis showed that the Yangtze finless porpoise clicks are typical high-frequency narrow-band (relative width of the frequency spectrum Q=6.6 &PLUSMN; 1.56, N=548) ultrasonic pulses. The peak frequencies of the typical clicks range from 87 to 145 kHz with an average of 125 &PLUSMN; 6.92 kHz. The durations range from 30 to 122 μ s with an average of 68 &PLUSMN; 14.12 μ s. The characteristics of the signals are similar to those of other members of the Phocoenidae as well as the distantly related delphinids, Cephalorhynchus spp. Comparison of these signals to those of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), who occupies habitat similar to that of the Yangtze finless porpoise, showed that the peak frequencies of clicks produced by the Yangtze finless porpoise are remarkably higher than those produced by the baiji. Difference in peak frequency between the two species is probably linked to the different size of prefer-red prey fish. Clear double-pulse and multi-pulse reverberation structures of clicks are noticed, and there is no indication of any low-frequency (< 70 kHz) components during the recording period. © 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Life history characteristics of three types of females in Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas (Rotifera) fed different algae

This study describes the life history characteristics of amictic, unfertilized mictic and fertilized mictic females of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus cultured individually on two different algae at 0.1 mg ml(-1) food concentration and 27 degreesC. The duration of the juvenile period of amictic females was significantly shorter on Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick than on Scenedesmus obliquus Kutz or both algae together. The duration of the juvenile period of unfertilized mictic females was significantly longer, and the number of eggs produced by amictic females was significantly larger on Chlorella pyrenoidosa than on S. obliquus. When fed the same type of alga, the duration of the juvenile period of the fertilized mictic females was the longest among the three types of females, and the durations of the reproductive period of the amictic females and the post-reproductive period of the fertilized mictic females were longer than, or equal to those of the other two types of females, respectively. The number of eggs produced by an unfertilized mictic female was the largest among the three types of females, and that of amictic females was larger than or equal to that of fertilized mictic females, depending on the type of diet.

High repetition rate Q-switched microchip Nd:YVO4 laser with pulse duration as short as 1.1 ns

We have demonstrated a compact and an efficient passively Q-switched microchip Nd:YVO4 laser by using a composite semiconductor absorber as well as an output coupler. The composite semiconductor absorber was composed of an LT (low-temperature grown) In0.25Ga0.75As absorber and a pure GaAs absorber. To our knowledge, it was the first demonstration of the special absorber for Q-switching operation of microchip lasers. Laser pulses with durations of 1.1 ns were generated with a 350 mu m thick laser crystal and the repetition rate of the pulses was as high as 4.6 MHz. The average output power was 120 mW at the pump power of 700 mW. Pulse duration can be varied from 1.1 to 15.7 ns by changing the cavity length from 0.45 to 5 mm. Pulses with duration of 1.67 and 2.41 ns were also obtained with a 0.7 mm, thick laser crystal and a 1 mm thick laser crystal, respectively. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction microfluidics by using spiral capillary channel embedded on copper

This paper presents a novel method for performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification by using spiral channel fabricated on copper where a transparent polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE) capillary tube was embedded. The channel with 25 PCR cycles was gradually developed in a spiral manner from inner to outer. The durations of PCR mixture at the denaturation, annealing and extension zones were gradually lengthened at a given flow rate, which may benefit continuous-flow PCR amplification as the synthesis ability of the Taq polymerase enzyme usually weakens with PCR time. Successful continuous-flow amplification of DNA fragments has been demonstrated. The PCR products of 249, 500 and 982 bp fragments could be obviously observed when the flow rates of PCR mixture were 7.5, 7.5 and 3.0 mm s(-1), respectively, and the required amplification times were about 25, 25, and 62 min, respectively. Besides, the successful segmented-flow PCR of three samples ( 249, 500 and 982 bp) has also been reported, which demonstrates the present continuous-flow PCR microfluidics can be developed for high-throughput genetic analysis.

黄土丘陵区退耕地先锋群落演替过程中细根特征的变化

采用空间序列取代时间序列的方法,对退耕时间分别为2、4、6和8年的退耕地群落细根特征进行了分析,以探讨退耕地植被演替过程中细根特征在土壤剖面上的变化及其在演替过程中的作用.结果表明:(1)群落细根根长密度和根面积密度随植被演替显著增加;比根长、比根面积和地下/地上生物量也有增加趋势;细根平均直径随植被演替波动,但有减少趋势;(2)在土壤剖面上根长密度、根面积密度和根系生物量均随土壤深度的增加而降低.其中超过63%的根长、61%的根面积和72%的生物量分布在0～20cm的表层土壤中;(3)根径级统计表明,多数细根直径在0～0.5和0.5～1.0mm之间,这两级细根长度占细根总长度的80%以上;(4)逐步回归分析表明,植被演替过程中细根特征的变化主要与土壤有效氮(第2年)、有效磷(第2～8年)和土壤水分(第8年)的含量有关,且随着植被演替,2～6年退耕地中细根特征与土壤资源正相关,而第8年中二者呈负相关.这可能与植物生长对资源的需求与土壤提供资源的能力之间的平衡有关.研究表明,退耕地植被演替过程对土壤资源有一定影响,尤其是土壤水分含量显著减少;而土壤水分等土壤资源的变化又对群落产生影响,导致茵陈蒿先锋群落向地带性...

Critical Biot's number for Determination of the Sensitivity of Spherical Ceramics to Thermal Shock

A critical Biot number, which determines both the sensitivity of spherical ceramics to quenching and the durations of the temperature-wave propagation and the thermal stresses in the ceramics subjected to thermal shock, is theoretically obtained. The results prove that once the Biot number of a ceramic sphere is greater than the critical number, its thermal shock failure will be such a rapid process that the failure only occurs in the initial regime of heat conduction, whereas the thermal shock failure of the ceramic sphere is uncertain in the course of heat conduction. The presented results provide a guide to the selection of the ceramics applied in the thermostructural engineering with thermal shock.

Effects of ultra-violet irradiation on sperm motility and diploid gynogenesis induction in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) undergoing cold shock

Large yellow croaker, Pseudosciaena crocea, exhibit sexually dimorphic growth, with females growing faster and reaching larger adult sizes than males. Thus, development of techniques for preferentially producing females is necessary to optimize production of these species. We have established a protocol to produce all-female croaker P. crocea through induction of meiotic gynogenesis with homologous sperm. The first set of experiments investigated the ultra-violet (UV) irradiation on sperm motility and duration of sperm activity to determine the optimal UV dosage for genetic inactivation of sperm, yet retaining adequate motility for activation of eggs. Milt from several males was diluted 1: 100 with Ringer's solution and UV irradiated with doses ranging from 0-150 J cm (-2). The results indicated that motility and duration of activity generally decreased with increased UV doses. At UV doses greater than 105 J cm(-2), after fertilization, motility was < 10% and fertilization rates were significantly lower. Highest hatching rate was obtained at 75 J cm -2. A second set of experiments was carried out to determine appropriate conditions of cold shock for retention of the 2nd polar body in P. crocea eggs after fertilization with UV-inactivated sperm by altering the timing, temperature and duration of shock. At 208 degrees C, shock applied at 3 min after fertilization resulted in higher survival rate of larvae at 6 h after hatching. Results of different combinations of three shock temperatures ( 28 degrees C, 38 degrees C or 48 degrees C) and five shock durations ( 4 min, 8 min, 12 min, 16 min or 20 min) at 3 min after fertilization demonstrated that shocks of 12 min gave highest production of diploid gynogens. Statistical analysis revealed that maximum production of diploid gynogens (44.55 +/- 2.99%) were obtained at 38 degrees C. The results of this study indicate that the use of UV-irradiated homologous sperm for activation of P. crocea eggs and cold shock for polar body retention is an effective method for producing gynogenetic offspring.

Induction of diploid gynogenesis in turbot Scophthalmus maximus with left-eyed flounder Paralichthys olivaceus sperm

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus exhibits sexually dimorphic growth, with females growing faster and reaching larger adult sizes than males. Thus, development of techniques for preferentially producing females is necessary to optimize production of these species. In this paper, gynogenetic diploids of turbot were induced by activating egg development with ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated left-eyed flounder Paralichthys olivaceus sperm combined with cold shock to prevent extrusion of the second polar body. The results of UV irradiation experiments showed that survival, motility, and duration of activity of P. olivaceus sperm generally decreased with increase in UV dose. The typical Hertwig's effect was observed after fertilized turbot eggs with UV-irradiated P. olivaceus sperm and the optimal UV dose for gynogenetic haploid production was 36,000 erg mm(-2). At 15 degrees C, appropriate timing of cold shock for retention of the second polar body in turbot eggs was at 6 min after fertilization. Results of different combinations of two shock temperatures (1 or 3 degrees C) and four shock durations (15, 25, 35 or 45 min) at 6 min after fertilization demonstrated that shock of 25 min at 1 degrees C gave the highest production of diploid gynogens (39.58% relative to its diploid control). The results of this study reveal that the use of UV-irradiated P. olivaceus sperm for activation of turbot eggs and cold shock for polar body retention is an effective method to produce gynogenetic offspring.

Nd isotope as the tracer of seawater evolution of early Miocene in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Fifty-six samples of nannofossil ooze were collected from Core PC5794 in the northern equatorial Pacific at 5 em intervals. With the methods of mass spectrometer (VG354) and ICP, the Nd isotopic compositions (epsilon(Nd)(t)), Mn contents and Mg/Sr ratios of carbonate phase have been analyzed. CaCO3 contents of bulk sediments were obtained by dissolution of 0.5 mol/L HCl. Based on these data, the high-resolution epsilon(Nd)(t) profile of seawater in early Miocene with core depth(or time) have been established. The values of epsilon(Nd)(t) range from -6.2 to -2.97 and 4 fluctuation cycles existed during 24.06-22.02 Ma. 4 low epsilon(Nd)(t) values (about -6.4) correspond to high CaCO3 contents, which implicates that there were 4 cold epochs or 4 times of Antarctic Bottom Water activity. They occurred at the time of 24.06 Ma, 23.85 Ma, 22.88 Ma and 22.26 Ma, respectively. High epsilon(Nd)(t) values correspond to the high Mn contents and high values of Mg/Sr ratio, which indicates the existence of 4 intense hydrothermal activity periods during 24.06-22 Ma, the durations of them are 4.05-23.98 Ma, 23.69-23.15 Ma, 22.74-22.37 Ma and 22.06-22.02 Ma, respectively.

Interannual fluctuations in floral longevity, pollinator visitation and pollination limitation of an alpine plant (Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentianaceae) at two altitudes in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Prolonged floral longevity and bumblebees as dominate pollinators in alpine ecosystem have been suggested to overcome pollination limitation of alpine plants arising from the decrease of pollinator activity with increasing altitude. However, this conclusion has never been examined in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), the highest and largest plateau in the world. In this study, we intended to test year-to-year correlations between floral longevity, visiting frequency and pollen limitation of this species between two populations (at 3200 m and 4000 m) of Gentiana straminea in this plateau. Pollinator exclusion elongated both male and female phases greatly at both sites, and durations of both male and female phases in natural condition varied greatly over three years. The visiting frequency of bumblebees varied greatly at the higher altitude, but seemed to be stable at the lower altitude. Seed production was pollination limited in both populations in most studied years. The floral durations, pollinator frequency and pollination limitation showed no significant and consistent variations with the increase of altitude. The previous hypothesis that the prolonged floral longevity of alpine plants can compensate for low levels of pollinator visitation therefore could not be confirmed, and our results further suggested that in the QTP platform, the altitude shows no consistent effect on the reproductive performance of this species, despite that the fluctuation of visit frequency intensified at the higher altitude.

元谋盆地河湖相沉积记录的上新世印度季风转型事件

The Indian monsoon, an integral part of the global climate system, has been extensively investigated during the past decades. Most of the proxy records are derived from marine sediments and focused on time periods of the late Miocene and Pleistocene. The Pliocene represents a period when Earth’s boundary conditions underwent dramatic changes. However, variations of the Indian monsoon during the Pliocene and its forcing mechanisms have remained unclear. The Yuanmou Basin, located in the region of the Indian monsoon, provides an ideal target for understanding the Pliocene history of Indian monsoon variations. Detailed investigations on the lithostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and limnology of a 650-m-thick fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary sequence from the basin are carried out in the present study. The clay and clay-plus-fine-silt fractions of the sediments are referred to the midlake-facies components, and changes in the percentages of both fractions generally reflect changes in the water level of the lakes developed in the basin closely related to variations in the intensity of the Indian monsoon. Whereas the greenish-gray lacustrine mud beds represent the environment of deep-water lakes, and the frequency of individual lacustrine mud beds is considered to indicate the frequency of the deep-water lakes developed in the basin associated with the variability of the Indian monsoon. The proxy data suggest that the Indian monsoon experienced abrupt shifts at 3.53, 3.14, 2.78 and 2.42 Ma, respectivey. 1) Since 3.53 Ma, the midlake-facies components displayed a general trend of increase in the concentrations, accompanied by an increase in the sedimentation rate from an average ~10 to 25 cm ka–1. The data suggest that high stands of the lakes in the basin rose progressively, implying a gradual intensification of the Indian monsoon since that time. This shift occurred coeval with the accelerated uplift of the northern Tibetan Plateau, denoting a close link between the Indian monsoon strengthening and the Tibetan Plateau uplifting. 2) 2.78 Ma ago, the concentrations of the midlake-facies components decreased abruptly and the dominant fraction of the sediments turned to fluvial sands. The data indicate that lakes in the basin disappeared, reflecting a dramatic decline in the intensity of the Indian monsoon at that time. This shift coincided with the formation of extensive Northern Hemisphere ice sheets, implying a quick response of the low-latitude monsoon regime to the high-latitude glaciation. 3) At 3.14 Ma, the initial appearance of blackish-grey mud beds with long durations and occasional occurrences of lacustrine mud beds indicate that the basin was overall dominated by shallow lakes, implying a shift to decreased variability of the Indian monsoon at that time. At 2.42 Ma, an increase in the frequency and a decrease in the duration of the lacustrine mud beds suggest that deep-water lakes were frequently developed in the basin, denoting a shift to increased variability of the Indian monsoon at that time. The former shift coincides with the onset of large-scale glaciation in the circum Atlantic region and the latter corresponds to the inception of predominance of the 41 ka periodicity in Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet cover fluctuations, presumably suggesting a physical link between the Indian monsoon system and the high-latitude ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere.

东南沿海火山碎屑岩40Ar/39Ar年代学研究

The Mesozoic pyroclastic rocks cover a vast coastal area in southeastern China, which is an important part of volcanic belt around Pacific Ocean. However, the previous dates for these rocks are confused and conflicted with each other, which have limited the further researches. It is difficult to date pyroclastic rocks, for almost all the dating methods, due to the multiple sources during their formation. Single crystal laser probe 40Ar/39Ar method is a powerful means to date pyroclastic rocks with complex sources. By distinguishing the xenocrysts and altered materials, Singe crystal total fusions of CO2 lasing on the sanidine separates could yield rational 40Ar/39Ar results and distinguish their sources. Timing on formations of the Moshishan Group, after avoiding the exotic and altered grains by lasing on the single sanidine separate, was reported in this study. 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating results of Cement part of the pyroclastic rocks show that the age spectrums are too complex to interpret for geological significance because of the alteration and 39Ar recoil. Incremental heating on K-feldspar separate from pyroclastic rocks give reliable data. Combining 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating ages and laser total fusion ages, we suggest the age was 125Ma-120Ma for Dashuang Fm, 120-119 Ma for Gaowu Fm, 119-114Ma for Xishantou Fm, 114-112Ma for Chawan Fm and 112-110Ma for Jiuliping Fm. The most intense period of volcanic activity in eastern Zhejiang Province was at about 120Ma. These new ages are much younger than the previous ones, suggesting that these thick volcanic formations had been formed in very short durations.

Methane dehydroaromatization over Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts: The reactivity of MoCx species formed from MoOx associated and non-associated with Bronsted acid sites

The catalytic performances of methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) under non-oxidative conditions over 6 wt.% Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts calcined for different durations of time at 773 K have been investigated in combination with ex situ H-1 MAS NMR characterization. Prolongation of the calcination time at 773 K is in favor of the diffusion of the Mo species on the external surface and the migration of Mo species into the channels, resulting in a further decrease in the number of Bronsted acid sites, while causing only a slight change in the Mo contents of the bulk and in the framework structure of the HZSM-5 zeolite. The MoQ(x) species associated and non-associated with the Bronsted acid sites can be estimated quantitatively based on the 1H MAS NMR measurements as well as on the assumption of a stoichiometry ratio of 1: 1 between the Mo species and the Bronsted acid sites. Calcining the 6 wt.% Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst at 773 K for 18 h can cause the MoOx species to associate with the Bronsted acid sites, while a 6 Wt-% MO/SiO2 sample can be taken as a catalyst in which all MoOx species are non-associated with the Bronsted acid sites. The TOF data at different times on stream on the 6 wt.% Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst calcined at 773 K for 18 h and on the 6 Wt-% MO/SiO2 catalyst reveal that the MoCx species formed from MoOx associated with the Bronsted acid sites are more active and stable than those formed from MoOx non-associated with the Bronsted acid sites. An analysis of the TPO profiles recorded on the used 6 wt.% Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts calcined for different durations of time combined with the TGA measurements also reveals that the more of the MoCx species formed from MoOx species associated with the Br6nsted acid sites, the lower the amount of coke that will be deposited on it. The decrease of the coke amount is mainly due to a decrease in the coke burnt-off at high temperature. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.