Explorations of electric-current system in solar active regions .1. Empirical inferences of the current flows

In this paper we explore techniques to identify sources of electric current systems and their channels of flow in solar active regions. Measured photospheric vector magnetic fields (VMF) together with high-resolution white-light and H filtergrams provide the data base to derive the current systems in the photosphere and chromosphere. Simple mathematical constructions of fields and currents are also adopted to understand these data. As an example, the techniques are then applied to infer current systems in AR 2372 in early April 1980. The main results are: (i) In unipolar sunspots the current density may reach values of 103 CGSE, and the Lorentz force on it can accelerate the Evershed flow, (ii) Spots exhibiting significant spiral pattrn in the penumbral filaments are the sources of vertical major currents at the photospheric surface, (iii) Magnetic neutral lines where the transverse field was strongly sheared were channels along which strong current system flows, (iv) The inferred current systems produced oppositely-flowing currents in the area of the delta configuration that was the site of flaring in AR 2372.

The effect of electric field maximum on the Rabi flopping and generated higher frequency spectra

We investigate the effect of the electric field maximum on the Rabi flopping and the generated higher frequency spectra properties by solving Maxwell-Bloch equations without invoking any standard approximations. It is found that the maximum of the electric field will lead to carrier-wave Rabi flopping (CWRF) through reversion dynamics which will be more evident when the applied field enters the sub-one-cycle regime. Therefore, under the interaction of sub-one-cycle pulses, the Rabi flopping follows the transient electric field tightly through the oscillation and reversion dynamics, which is in contrast to the conventional envelope Rabi flopping. Complete or incomplete population inversion can be realized through the control of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP). Furthermore, the generated higher frequency spectra will be changed from distinct to continuous or irregular with the variation of the CEP. Our results demonstrate that due to the evident maximum behavior of the electric field, pulses with different CEP give rise to different CWRFs, and then different degree of interferences lead to different higher frequency spectral features.

Isolation of Y- and X-linked SCAR markers in yellow catfish and application in the production of all-male populations

P>Sex controls have been performed in some farmed fish species because of significant growth differences between females and males. In yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), adult males are three times larger than female adults. In this study, six Y- and X-linked amplified fragment length polymorphism fragments were screened by sex-genotype pool bulked segregant analysis and individual screening. Interestingly, sequence analysis identified two pairs of allelic genes, Pf33 and Pf62. Furthermore, the cloned flanking sequences revealed several Y- and X-specific polymorphisms, and four Y-linked or X-linked sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primer pairs were designed and converted into Y- and X-linked SCAR markers. Consequently, these markers were successfully used to identify genetic sex and YY super-males, and applied to all-male population production. Thus, we developed a novel and simple technique to help commercial production of YY super-males and all-male populations in the yellow catfish.

Effects of temperature and light on the growth and geosmin production of Lyngbya kuetzingii (Cyanophyta)

The effects of temperature and light on the growth and geosmin production of Lyngbya kuetzingii were determined. Of the three temperatures tested, 10, 25 and 35A degrees C, the maximal geosmin concentration and geosmin productivity were yielded at 10A degrees C, while the highest chl a production was observed at 25A degrees C. In the studies on light intensity, the maximal geosmin concentration and geosmin productivity were observed at 10 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), while the highest chl a production was at 20 mu mol m(-2) s(-1). It was suggested that more geosmin was synthesized with lower chl a demand. Meanwhile, the relative amounts of extra- and intracellular geosmin were investigated. Under optimum growth conditions (20 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), 25A degrees C; BG-11 medium), the amounts of extracellular geosmin increased as the growth progressed and reached the maximum in the stationary phase, while the intracellular geosmin reached its maximum value in the late exponential phase, and then began to decline. However, under the low temperature (10A degrees C) or light (10 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)) conditions, more intracellular geosmin was synthesized and mainly accumulated in the cells. The proportions of extracellular geosmin were high, to 33.33 and 32.27%, respectively, during the stationary phase at 35A degrees C and 20 mu mol m(-2) s(-1). It was indicated that low temperature or light could stimulate geosmin production and favor the accumulation of geosmin in cells, while more intracellular geosmin may be released into the medium at higher temperatures or optimum light intensity.

Effects of arsenate on the growth and microcystin production of Microcystis aeruginosa isolated from Taiwan as influenced by extracellular phosphate

Arsenic pollution and eutrophication are both prominent issues in the aquaculture ponds of Taiwan. It is important to study the effects of arsenic on algal growth and toxin production in order to assess the ecological risk of arsenic pollution, or at least to understand naturally occurring ponds. The sensitivity of algae to arsenate has often been linked to the structural similarities between arsenate and phosphate. Thus, in this study we examined the effects of arsenate (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) on Microcystis aeruginosa TY-1 isolated from Taiwan, under two phosphate regimes. The present study showed that M. aeruginosa TY-1 was arsenate tolerant up to 10(-4) M, and that this tolerance was not affected by extracellular phosphate. However, it seems that extracellular phosphate contributed to microcystin production and leakage by M. aeruginosa in response to arsenate. Under normal phosphate conditions, total toxin yields after arsenate treatment followed a typical inverted U-shape hormesis, with a peak value of 2.25 +/- 0.06 mg L-1 in the presence of 10(-7) M arsenate, whereas 10(-8) to 10(-6) M arsenate increased leakage of similar to 75% microcystin. Under phosphate starvation, total toxin yields were not affected by arsenate, while 10(-6) and 10(-5) M arsenate stimulated microcystin leakage. It is suggested that arsenate may play a role in the process of microcystin biosynthesis and excretion. Given the arsenic concentrations in aquaculture ponds in Taiwan, arsenate favors survival of toxic M. aeruginosa in such ponds, and arsenate-stimulated microcystin production and leakage may have an impact on the food chain.

Seasonal changes, life cycle, and production of a psychrophilic chironomid (Propsilocerus akamusi) in a Chinese Lake

Seasonal changes, life cycle, and production of a psychrophilic Chironomidae species, Propsilacerus akamusi (Tokunage), were studied in eutrophic Lake Donghu. The P akamusi population was characterized by a single annual reproduction period during late November to December, and the larval growth mainly occurred in winter. Most of P akamusi were univoltine, while some of them came to emergence in two years or more. The average density and biomass were 318.9 ind./m(2) and 0.57 g dry weight /m(2) during January 1998 to June 2000, respectively, but these values did not include any summer measurement,; since the larvae aestivated in the deep sediment layer and could not be sampled routinely in summer. The annual production of P akamusi was 2.73g dry weight/m(2), and the corresponding production/biomass ratio was 4.60.