Evolution of nutrient structure and phytoplankton composition in the Jiaozhou Bay ecosystem

The inventories of nutrients in the surface water and large phytoplankton( > 69 pm) were analyzed from the data set of JERS ecological database about a typical coastal waters, the Jiaozhou Bay, China, from 1960s for N, P and from 1980s; for Si. By examining long-term changes of nutrient concentration, calculating stoichiometric balance, and comparing diatom composition, Si limitation of diatom production was found to be more possible. The possibility of Si limitation was from 37% in 1980s to 50% in 1990s. Jiaozhou Bay ecosystem is becoming serious eutrophication, with notable increase of NO2-N, NO3-N and NH4-N from 0.1417 mumol/L, 0.5414 mumol/L, 1.7222 mumol/L in 1960s to 0.9551 mumol/L, 3.001 mumol/L, 8.0359 mumol/L in late 1990s respectively and prominent decrease of Si from 4.2614 mumol/L in 1980s to 1.5861 mumol/L in late 1990s; the nutrient structure is controlled by nitrogen; the main limiting nutrient is probably silicon; because of the Si limitation the phytoplankton community structure has changed drastically.

Digestive gut structure and activity of protease, amylase, and alkaline phosphatase in Calanus sinicus during summer in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea

Calanus sinicus aggregate at the depth of 40-60 m (ambient temperature is 16 degreesC) in the waters of the continental shelf of the Yellow Sea during summer. in animals found in near shore regions, there are changes in digestive gut cells structure, digestive enzyme activity (protease, amylase), and tissue enzyme (alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), which may represent adaptations by this cold-water animal to a sharp seasonal increase in temperature of 6-23 degreesC. The activities of the digestive enzymes (protease and amylase) are very low in animals at stations near the estuary of Yangtse River, whereas they are relatively high in animals at stations in the central Yellow Sea, During summer, B-cells of the intestine and the villi intestinalis disappear in animals that do not feed at stations near the estuary of the Yangtse River. Respiration rates were undetectable or quite low during summer in C. sinicus from stations near the estuary of the Yangtse River, whereas they were relatively high at stations in the central Yellow Sea. Based upon the morphological characteristics of the digestive gut structure, enzyme levels, respiration rates, and the distribution of C. sinicus, we concluded that C. sinicus might be dormant during summer in the near shore areas of the East China Sea while remaining active in the central Yellow Sea. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Historical changes in nutrient structure and its influences on phytoplantkon composition in Jiaozhou Bay

Due to the influence of human activities, nutrient concentrations, nutrient ratios and phytoplankton composition have notably changed in Jiaozhou Bay, China since the 1960s. From the 1960s to the 1990s, nutrient concentrations have increased 1.4 times for PO4-P, 4.3 times for NO3-N, 4.1 times for NH4-N and 3.9 times for DIN. The atomic ratio of DIN:PO4-P increased very rapidly from 15.9 +/- 6.3 for the 1960s, to 37.8 +/- 22.9 for the 1990s. SiO3-Si concentration has remained at a very low level from the 1980s to the 1990s. The high ratio of DIN: PO4-P and low ratios of SiO3-Si:PO4-P (7.6 +/- 8.9) and SiO3-Si:DIN (0.19 +/- 0.15) showed the nutrient structure of Jiaozhou Bay has changed from more balanced to unbalanced during the last 40 years. The possibility that DIN and/or PO4-P as limiting factors of Jiaozhou Bay phytoplankton has been lessened or eliminated and that of SiO3-Si limiting has been increased. The changes in nutrient structure may have led to the decrease of large diatoms and a shift of phytoplankton species composition. It is likely that there is a trend from large diatoms to smaller cells in Jiaozhou Bay. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Phenotypic plasticity of gut structure and function during periods of inactivity in Apostichopus japonicus

Apostichopus japonicus is a common sea cucumber that undergoes seasonal inactivity phases and ceases feeding during the summer months. We used this sea cucumber species as a model in which to examine phenotypic plasticity of the digestive tract in response to food deprivation. We measured the body mass, gross gut morphology and digestive enzyme activities of A. japonicus before, during, and after the period of inactivity to examine the effects of food deprivation on the gut structure and function of this animal. Individuals were sampled semi-monthly from June to November (10 sampling intervals over 178 days) across temperature changes of more than 18 degrees C. On 5 September, which represented the peak of inactivity and lack of feeding, A. japonicus decreased its body mass, gut mass and gut length by 50%, 85%, and 70%, respectively, in comparison to values for these parameters preceding the inactive period. The activities of amylase, cellulase and lipase decreased by 77%, 98%, and 35% respectively, in comparison to mean values for these enzymes in June, whereas pepsin activity increased two-fold (luring the inactive phase. Alginase and trypsin activities were variable and did not change significantly across the 178-day experiment. With the exception of amylase and cellulase, all body size indices and digestive enzyme activities recovered and even surpassed the mean values preceding the inactive phase during the latter part of the experiment (October-November). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) utilizing the digestive enzyme activity and body size index data divided the physiological state of this cucumber into four phases: an active stage, prophase of inactivity peak inactivity, and a reversion phase. These phases are all consistent with previously suggested life stages for this species, but our data provide more defined characteristics of each phase. A. japonicus clearly exhibits phenotypic plasticity (or life-cycle staging) of the digestive tract during its annual inactive period. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Community structure and seasonal dynamics of planktonic ciliates along salinity gradients

The ciliate community structure and seasonal dynamics in a solar saltern of the Yellow Sea were studied based oil 4 sampling dates and 8 stations with salinities from 27.7 parts per thousand to 311.0 parts per thousand. The effects of the type and concentration of the fixative used (Lugol's and Bouin's) were tested at the first sampling date. Fixative type and fixative concentration had significant effects on ciliate abundance and blovolume, with 1% Lugol's giving the best results. A detailed investigation using live observations and protargol staining techniques revealed a total of 98 morphospecies from 8 sampling stations. There was obvious seasonal variation in species composition at most of the stations, but this tended to be less distinct with increasing salinity, as the dominant ciliate group shifted from oligotrichs to heterotrichs. Ciliate abundance varied from 4.40 x 10(1) to 2.11 x 10(5) cells l(-1) and biomass ranged between 2.39 and 9.87 x 10(3) mu g Cl-1 (at a salinity of 147.6 parts per thousand). Both abundance and biomass decreased abruptly when salinity exceeded 100-150 parts per thousand. Statistical analyses Suggested that the dynamics of ciliate abundance and biomass were regulated by both salinity and by season, but those of diversity and species richness were mainly controlled by salinity and both significantly decreased with increasing salinity. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, structure and biological activities of 2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N-phenyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thioacetamide

The title compound, 2-(methoxybenzoyl)-N-phenyt-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thioacetamide was synthesized by several reactions from 4-methoxyacetophenone, triazole and phenyl isothiocyanate. The structure was identified by elemental analysis, H-1 NMR, MS and IR. The single crystal structure of 2-(methoxybenzoyl)-N-phenyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thioacetamide was determined with X-ray diffraction. The preliminary bioassays show that the title compound exhibits weak antifungal activities and plant-growth regulatory activity.

Structure and biological activities of 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1-phenyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) ethanone

In order to find leading compounds with an excellent fungicidal activity, the tide compound 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-yl-idene) -1-phenyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) ethanone was synthesized according to the biological isosterism and its structure was confirmed by means of IR, MS, H-1 NMR and elemental analysis. The single crystal structure of the tide compound was determined by X-ray diffraction. The preliminary biological test shows that the synthesized compound exhibits some biological activities.

Studies on synthesis, structure and biological activities of novel triazole compounds containing thioamide

Four novel triazole compounds containing thioamide group were designed and synthesized by using triazole, phenyl isothiocyanate and aryl ethyl ketone as raw material. Their structures were conformed by elemental analysis, H-1 NMR, IR and MS spectra. The crystal structure of 1-[1-anilinothiocarbonyl-1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)methyl]-1,2,4-trizole has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The preliminary bioassays have shown that the title compounds exhibit certain antifungal activity.

Synthesis, crystal structure and biological activities of N '-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) acetohydrazide

The title compound, N'-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetohydrazide, was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by means of IR, MS,H-1 NMR and elemental analysis. The single crystal structure of the title compound was determined by X-ray diffraction. The preliminary biological test shows that the synthesized compound has a low antifungal activity.

Crystal structure and DFT studies of a triazole derivative: 4-(2-hydrobenzylideneamino)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl-methyl) 1H-1,2,4-triazole-5 (4H)-thione

A novel triazole derivative 4-(2-hydrobenzylideneamino)-3-(1, 2, 4-triazol-4-ylmethyl)-1H-1, 2, 4-triazole-5 (4H)-thione(1) was synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, MR, and H-1 NMR, and its crystal structure was determined via X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Crystal data: monoclinic, P2 (1)/c, a = 0.83335 (9) nm, b = 1. 49777 (16) run, c = 1. 14724 (12) nm, beta = 107. 990 (2)degrees, D = 1. 470 Mg/m(3), and Z = 4. The geometries and the vibrational frequencies were determined using the density functional theory(DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. To demonstrate the accuracy of the reaction route of compound 1, one of the important intermediates was also tested using the same method. The structural parameters of the two compounds calculated using the DFT study are close to those of the crystals, and the harmonic vibrations of the two compounds computed via the DFT method are in good agreement with those in the observed IR spectral data. The thermodynamic properties of the title compound were calculated, and the compound shows a good structural stability at normal temperature. The test results of biological activities show that it has a certain bactericidal ability.

Surface structure and reaction performances of highly dispersed and supported bimetallic catalysts

Surface structures of Pt-Sn and Pt-Fe bimetallic catalysts have been investigated by means of Mossbauer spectroscopy, Pt-L-III -edge EXAFS and H-2-adsorption. The results showed that the second component, such as Sn or Fe, remained in the oxidative state and dispersed on the gamma-Al2O3 surface after reduction, while Pt was completely reduced to the metallic state and dispersed on either the metal oxide surface or the gamma-Al2O3 surface. By correlating the distribution of Pt species on different surfaces with the reaction and adsorption performances, it is proposed that two kinds of active Pt species existed on the surfaces of both catalysts, named M-1 sites and M-2 sites. M-1 sites are the sites in which Pr directly anchored on the gamma-Al2O3 surface, while M-2 sites are those in which Pt anchored on the metal oxide surface. M-1 sites are favorable for low temperature H-2 adsorption, and responsible for the hydrogenolysis reaction and carbon deposition, while M-2 sites which adsorb more H-2 at higher temperature, are more resistant to the deactivation due to less carbon deposition, and provide major contribution to the dehydrogenation reaction.

Structure and base properties of calcined hydrotalcites

Five hydrotalcites with Mg/Al molar ratio range of 3-15 were prepared. The structure and basicity of Mg-Al mixed oxides (Mg(Al)O) transformed from hydrotalcites were investigated by TPD, XPS, XRD, FT-IR and NMR techniques. The results of elemental analysis and XPS indicate that Al is enriched in the surface regions of Mg(Al)O, and its amount increases with the Mg/Al molar ratio and, the calcination temperature. Al-27-MAS-NMR results show that Al exists in two chemical environments: tetrahedral aluminium (Al(t)) and octahedral aluminium (Al(o)) in Mg(AI)O. The amount of Al(t) increases with the Mg/Al molar ratio and the calcination temperature. It is assumed that Al(t) may be mainly from the surface Al. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of CO2 shows that the number of basic sites of Mg(Al)O samples increases with the Mg/Al molar ratio, and the maximum number of basic sites is obtained for hydrotalcite calcined at 773 K. Infrared spectra of adsorbed CO2 and B(OCH3)(3) reveal that there are two kinds of basic sites: weak basic OH- sites and strong basic O2- sites on the Mg(AI)O samples, the base strength depends on the Mg/Al molar ratio and calcination temperature.