Atom localization in a four-level alkaline earth atomic system

We propose an atom localization scheme for a four-level alkaline earth atom via a classical standing-wave field, and give the analytical expressions of the localization peak positions as well as the widths versus the parameters of the optical fields. We show that the probability of finding the atom at a particular position can be increased from 1/4 to 1/3 or 1/2 by adjusting the detuning of the probe field and the Rabi frequencies of the optical fields. Furthermore, the localization precision can be dramatically enhanced by increasing the intensity of the standing-wave field or decreasing the detuning of the probe field. The analytical results are quite accordant to the numerical solutions.

Effect of alkaline-earth metal composition on spectroscopic properties of Er3+ in fluorophosphate glasses

Optical spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped alkaline-earth metal modified fluoropho sphate glasses have been investigated experimentally for developing broadband fiber and planar amplifiers. The results show a strong correlation between the alkaline-earth metal content and the spectroscopic parameters such as absorption and emission cross sections, full widths at half-maximum and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters. It is found that strontium ions could have more influences on the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters and the absorption and emission cross sections than other alkaline-earth metal ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+. The sample containing 23 mol% strontium fluoride exhibits the maximum emission cross section of 7.58 x 10(-21) cm(2), the broadest full width at half-maximum of 65 nm and the longer lifetime of 8.6 ms among the alkaline-earth metal modified fluorophosphates glasses studied. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter Omega(6)s, the emission cross sections and the full widths at half-maximum in the Er3+-doped fluorophosphate glasses studied are larger than in the silicate and phosphate glasses.

Ultrabroad infrared luminescences from Bi-doped alkaline earth metal germanate glasses

We report on ultrabroad infrared (IR) luminescences covering the 1000-1700-nm wavelength region, from Bi-doped 75GeO(2) 20RO-5Al(2)O(3) 1B(2)O(3) (R = Sr, Ca, and Mg) glasses. The full width at half-maximum of the IR luminescences excited at 980 nm increases (315 -> 440 -> 510 nm) with the change of alkaline earth metal (Mg2+ -> Ca2+ -> Sr2+). The fluorescence lifetime of the glass samples is 1725, 157, and 264 mu s when R is Sr, Ca, and Mg, respectively. These materials may be promising candidates for broad-band fiber amplifiers and tunable laser resources.

Effect of alkali and alkaline earth fluoride introduction on thermal stability and structure of fluorophosphate glasses

The thermal stability and structure of RF-RF2-AIF(3)-Al(PO3)(3) fluorophosphate glasses were investigated. Analyses of infrared absorbance spectra and Raman spectra reveal that with increasing number of alkali and alkaline earth fluoride components, the sum of P-O-P bond and O-P-O bond increases and glass network is strengthened. Consequently, the inhibition to nucleation and crystallization processes is improved, which is proved by the increment of thermal stability factors AT and S determined by differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, it was found that LiF has poor ability to form glass in univalent alkali fluorides and MgF2 has comparative strong ability to form glass in bivalent alkaline earth fluorides. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of various alkaline-earth metal oxides on the broadband infrared luminescence from bismuth-doped silicate glasses

We report on the effect of various alkaline-earth metal oxides on the broadband infrared luminescence covering 1000-1600 nm wavelength region from bismuth-doped silicate glasses. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the infrared luminescence and the fluorescent lifetime is more than 200 nm and 400 mu s, respectively. The fluorescent intensity decreases with increasing basicity of host glasses. Besides the broadband infrared luminescence, luminescence centered at 640 nm was also observed, which should be ascribed to Bi2+ rather than to the familiar Bi3+. We suggest that the infrared luminescence should be assigned to the X-2 (2)Pi (3/2) -> X-1 (2)Pi(1/2) transition of BiO molecules dispersed in the host glasses. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

FLUCTUATION OF SIZE-FRACTIONATED ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE AFTER BLOOM DISAPPEARANCE IN TWO SHALLOW PONDS

The temporal and vertical fluctuations of size fractionated alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and kinetics parameters as well as orthophosphate (o-P) and chlorophyll concentrations were investigated after bloom disappearance in two shallow ponds A and B from 27 October 2001 to 15 April 2002. Pond A (Microcystis) bloomed seriously but pond B did not. The data of o-P and chlorophyll suggested that phosphorus was the principal limiting nutrimental element and its vertical flux should be regarded as an important driving factor for algal growth. In pond A, the accumulation of algae-derived detritus after bloom disappearance in overlying water stimulated excretion of algal fraction APA, mainly produced by attached bacteria responsible for detritus decomposition, whereas bacterial fraction APA preferred to function in surface water. Interestingly, completely contrary phenomena were observed in pond B. In season, even though no obvious difference for size-fractionated APA in both ponds, the total APA in pond A peaked earlier showing higher activity and efficiency (low K-m and high V-max values) as a result of algal-derived detritus input. In summary, it is suggested that the excretion of alkaline phosphatase with strongly catalyzing efficiency and high activity should be taken as important contributor to algal-derived detritus decomposition, further fueling nutrient recycle and accelerating algal development next year. Furthermore, some inhibitors and surfactants were testified to be good tools to identify the origin of dissolved alkaline phosphatase.

Phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activity in sediments of a large eutrophic Chinese lake (Lake Taihu)

Spatial, vertical, and seasonal variations in phosphorus fractions and in alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) were investigated in sediments in a large-shallow eutrophic Chinese lake (Lake Taihu) in 2003-2004. The phosphorus content was highest in the most seriously polluted lake area. Iron-bound phosphorus (Fe(OOH)-P) dominated (47% on average) among the phosphorus fractions determined according to Golterman (Hydrobiologia 335:87-95, 1996). Notably, organically-bound P comprised a further significant additional portion (acid-soluble + hot NaOH-extractable organic P = 25%), which was highest at the most polluted sites. The Fe(OOH)-P content was the lowest in spring (April, 2004), suggesting that degradation of organic matter led to the release of iron-bound phosphates. Sediment APA showed a significant positive relationship with both organically-bound P and Fe(OOH)-P. Consequently, organically-bound P is an important portion of the sediment phosphorus in Lake Taihu. It is mainly derived from freshly-settled autochthonous particles and from external discharges. Organically-bound P induces APA and may lead to the release of bioavailable phosphates from the organic sediments, thereby accelerating lake eutrophication.

Lysis of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Cyanobacterium) by a bacterium Bacillus cereus

A phytoplankton-lytic (PL) bacterium, Bacillus cereus, capable of lysing the bloom-forming cyanobacterium. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was isolated from Lake Dianchi of Yunnan province, China. This bacterium showed lytic activities against a wide range of cyanobacteria/algae, including A. flos-aquae, Microcystis viridis, Microcystis wesenbergi, Microcystis aeruginosa, Chlorella ellipsoidea, Oscillatoria tenuis, Nostoc punctiforme, Anabaena flos-aquae, Spirulina maxima, and Selenastrum capricornutum. Chlorophyll a contents, phycocyanin contents, and photosynthetic activities of the A. flos-aquae decreased evidently in an infected culture for a period. Bacterium B. cereus attacked rapidly A. flos-aquae cells by cell-to-cell contact mechanism. It was shown that the lysis of A. flos-aquae began with the breach of the cyanobacterial cell wall, and the cyanobacterial cell appeared abnormal in the presence of the PL bacterium. Moreover, transmission electron microscope examinations revealed that a close contact between the bacterium and the cyanobacterium was necessary for lysis. Some slime extrusions produced from B. cereus assisted the bacterial cells to be in close association with and lyse the cyanobacterial cells. These findings suggested that this bacterium could play an important role in controlling the Aphanizomenon blooms in freshwaters. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Physico-chemical properties of alkaline phosphatases released by a planktonic crustacean, Daphnia magna (Cladocera)

Our studies investigated the physico-chemical properties of alkaline phosphatase excreted by D. magna. This cladoceran mainly released alkaline phosphatase, though it also released a small amount of acid phosphatase. The alkaline phosphatase showed a broad pH optimum (8.05-10.0), and had a broad optimum temperature (30-35 degrees C) with a temperature coefficient (Q(10)) of 2.45. The K-m of the enzyme is 0.15 +/- 0.02 mM when p-nitrophenyl phosphate is used as a substrate, and the V-max is 0.43 +/- 0.01 mu M pNP mg(-1) DW h(-1). Even though alkaline phosphatase had been incubated in chloroform saturated with WC medium for 13 days, its activity was 54% that of the original. The enzyme was strongly inactivated by EDTA, and appeared to be zinc dependent. The alkaline phosphatase activity remained constant when D. magna was fed different quantities of Chlorella sp. The sensitivity of D. magna phosphatase activity to phosphate was time-dependent. During the first 16 hrs, the enzyme was insensitive to phosphate addition, after 24 hrs incubation the enzyme became sensitive to phosphate addition.

Vertical variation in dissolved alkaline phosphatase activity in a shallow eutrophic lake determined in reverse micelles

We evaluated the feasibility of microencapsulating dissolved alkaline phosphatase of a water body into reverse micelle systems prepared by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide as a surfactant in cyclohexane and 1-butanol as co-surfactant. The dissolved alkaline phosphatase activity within the micelle was described, including its kinetic parameters and the effects of pH and temperature on catalytic activity in surface, overlying and interstitial water of Lake Donghu. We found the similarities on the behavior of dissolved alkaline phosphatase of surface and interstitial water in reverse micelles, which was distinctly different from its behavior in the overlying water. This difference likely reflected the different origins of the dissolved alkaline phosphatase in the vertical profile of the lake. This system provides a novel tool with which to study the diversity and ecological significance of extracellular enzymes in aquatic environments.

Discharges and sediments as sources of extracellular alkaline phosphatase in a shallow Chinese eutrophic lake

Total alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations were measured in municipal wastewater, and a shallow Chinese freshwater lake receiving it. Activities of Dissolved alkaline phosphatase ( ADAP) in overlying and interstitial water were also analyzed monthly at three sites for several years. The lake was enriched with SRP and alkaline phosphatase by discharge of the wastewater, indicating that the inclusion of APA for estimating water pollution was reasonable. Annual data showed that APA in coarser fraction was significantly higher at the site receiving more wastewaters, both in surface and overlying water, suggesting that resuspension of enzyme most likely occurred in the basin heavily discharged. ADAP was an order of magnitude higher in the wastewater than those in lake waters, and was generally higher in interstitial water, a feature more striking at the site receiving more discharges. Besides, it was irrespectively inhibited by Na2WO4, L-cysteine and EDTA-Na, but stimulated by Cu2+, Zn2+, CTAB and Triton X-100 in interstitial, overlying and surface waters. This similarity of responding patterns to the stressors indicated an analogy between dissolved alkaline phosphatase in water column and that in interstitial water, supporting the hypothesis that the polluted sediments act as source of dissolved alkaline phosphatase in eutrophic lakes.

Temporal and spatial variations in kinetics of alkaline phosphatase in sediments of a shallow Chinese eutrophic lake (Lake Donghu)

Monthly sediment and interstitial water samples were collected in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake (Lake Donghu) from three areas to determine if alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) plays an important role in phosphorus cycling in sediment. The seasonal variability in the kinetics of APA and other relevant parameters were investigated from 1995-1996. The phosphatase hydrolyzable phosphorus (PHP) fluctuated seasonally in interstitial water, peaking in the spring. A synchronous pattern was observed in chlorophyll a contents in surface water in general. The orthophosphate (o-P) concentrations in the interstitial water increased during the spring. An expected negative relationship between PHP and V-max of APA is not evident in interstitial water. The most striking feature of the two variables is their co-occurring, which can be explained in terms of an induction mechanism. It is argued that phosphatase activity mainly contributes to the driving force of o-P regeneration from PHP in interstitial water, supporting the development of phytoplankton biomass in spring. The V-max values in sediment increased during the summer, in Conjunction with lower K-m values in interstitial water that suggest a higher affinity for the substrate. The accumulation of organic matter in the sediment could be traced back to the breakdown of the algal spring bloom, which may stimulate APA with higher kinetic efficiency, by a combination of the higher V-max in sediments plus lower K-m values in interstitial water, in Summer. In summary, a focus On phosphatase and its substrate in annual scale may provide a useful framework for the development of novel P cycling, possible explanations for the absence of a clear relationship between PHP and APA were PHP released from the sediment which induced APA, and the presence of kinetically higher APA both in sediment and interstitial water which permitted summer mineralization of organic matter derived from the spring bloom to occur. The study highlighted the need for distinguishing functionally distinct extracellular enzymes between the sediment and interstitial water of lakes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kinetics of alkaline phosphatase in lake sediment associated with cage culture of Oreochromis niloticus

Variations in kinetics of alkaline phosphatase occurring in different sites of sediment associated with cage culture of Oreochromis niloticus in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake (Lake Donghu) were described. In addition, the kinetic parameters of each 2.5-cm stratum in the sediment from the surface down to 37.5 cm were analyzed. Horizontally, the V-max values of alkaline phosphatase in surface sediments increased markedly at sites immediately under and adjacent to the cage that would be subjected to the deposition of fish feces. Peak V-max values in the top 5 cm of the sediment under the cage were also observed relative to their deeper control. After a treatment where the fish feces were added over 12 days, the sediment in deeper layer exhibited a significantly higher V-max value, thereby corroborating the relationship between V-max values of alkaline phosphatase and fish feces in sediments. The fish feces exhibited a remarkable alkaline phosphatase activity (APA). Thus, it is indeed a source of the enzyme. Effects of the fish feces were dose- and time-dependent. The V-max values in sediments were always stimulated, but the K-m values showed much more variability. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.