Spatial distributions and seasonal variations of particulate phosphorus in the Jiaozhou Bay in North China

Based oil the measurements of particulate phosphorus (PP) in the Jiaozhou Bay front May 2003 to April 2004, the spatial distribution, seasonal variation and biogeochemical characteristics of PP Were investigated to Understand the fates and roles of phosphorus in the Jiaozhou Bay ecosystem. The Concentration of the total PP ranged from 0. 07 to 2. 09 mu mol/dm(3). The concentration of POP was from 0. 01 to 1. 83 mu mol/dm(3), with all average of with all average of 0. 33 mu mol/dm(3), which accounted for 50. 4% in total PP. In general, file concentrations of IT in surface water show obvious seasonal variations in the Jiaozhou Bay. POP was the highest in spring, which derived front the accumulation of phyto-detritus and was the lowest ill autumn, which was decomposed into seawaters to participate the recycle of phosphorus. PIP was the highest in spring and summer and Was the lowest in autumn and winter. PLP Was Mainly influenced by river input in the inner bay lint POP derived front autochthonous source in the outer bay. Overkill, the concentrations of IT in the inner bay were higher than those in mouth and the Older bay. In the inner bay. the concentrations of IT with the area near the shore were higher than those in the center of the bay. Totally PP showed the decreasing trend with depth especially in spring and winter. The high value of PP emerged in 20 and 10 in Corresponding to summer and autumn, respectively. The changes of POP showed hysteretic effect compared with the changes of Chl a in the investigated year. However, according to the Change of Chl a, the second high value of POP which should be emerged ill October was missing due to the remineralization of POP and participation in the recycle of phosphorus, which lead to the high concentration of orthophosphate in seawaters.

Temperature influence on the spawning performance of artificially-matured Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, in captivity

We studied the influence of temperature on the spawning performance of artificially matured Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, in captivity. We used routine hormone injections to bring females and males to maturity in separate aquaria. We recorded the behavior of three pairs of such hormone-treated matured eels in an aquarium (2 replicates) at four temperatures: 14, 18, 22, and 27 degrees C, respectively. They became active and frequently left the bottom swimming in the water column, and spawning events occurred. Females released eggs in the water column around the activity peaks. Males preceded females in reaching activity peaks (presumably the timing of sperm ejection and egg release), possibly resulting in the low fertilization we observed in this experiment. Males and females returned back to the aquarium bottoms and became quiet after spawning. On several occasions, male-female or female-female pairs were observed to 'cruise together' in the water column for several to tens of seconds prior to egg releasing, but no courtship behavior indicative of spawning such as pairing and chasing was observed in the eels in our study. Our results suggest that 18-22 degrees C might be the thermal preference for spawning for Japanese eels, which approximates the temperature range of the 500 m deep water layer around the Mariana Islands seamount area, the presumed spawning site for the Japanese eel.

青海省三江源区人工草地生态系统CO_2通量

了解三江源人工草地净生态系统CO_2交换(Net ecosystem CO_2 exchange, NEE)的季节变化规律和主要生物因子及环境因子对这些过程的影响将有助于认识青藏高原人工草地生态系统碳循环、生态价值、功能,以及对三江源区的生态安全的重要意义.该研究利用涡度相关技术,于2005年9月1日至2006年8月31日对位于青海腹地的垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)人工草地的NEE及生物和环境因子进行观测,阐明NEE及其组分的动态变化特征和影响因子.三江源区人工草地生态系统的日最大吸收量为2.38gC•m~(-2)•d~(-1),出现在7月30日.日间最大吸收率和最大排放率都出现在8月,分别为-6.82和2.95/μmol CO_2•m~(-2)•s~(-1).在生长季,白天的NEE主要受光合有效辐射(Photosynthetically active radiation, PAR)变化控制, 同时又与叶面积指数和群落多样性交互作用,共同调节光合速率和光合效率的强度.最大光合同化速率为2.46～10.39μmol CO_2•m~(-2)•s~(-1),表观初始光能利用率为0.013～0.070μmol CO_2•μmol~(-1)PAR.在碳交换日过程中,NEE并不完全随着PAR的增加而增大,当PAR超过某一值(>1200μmol•m~(-2)•s~(-1))时,NEE随PAR的增加而降低.受温度的影响,生长季的生态系统的呼吸商Q10(1.8)小于非生长季节的(2.6).生态系统呼吸主要受温度的控制,同时也受到叶面积指数的显著影响.生长季昼夜温差大并不利于生态系统的碳获取.三江源区人工草地生态系统是一个较强的碳汇,为-49.35gC•m~(-2)•a~(-1).

我国部分南极陨石的分类和宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的研究

随着我国南极陨石的大量回收，对陨石的研究也越来越深入。本文主要对我国部分南极陨石和沙漠陨石开展了三方面的工作：（1）我国部分南极陨石的分类；（2）陨石中宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的化学分离、纯化实验；（3）我国部分南极陨石和沙漠陨石的全岩化学组成分析和宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的初步研究。 1、我国部分南极陨石的分类研究 通过对我国19次南极科考队回收的4448块陨石中24块南极普通球粒陨石的矿物、岩石分析，将这24块陨石化学－岩石类型进行了划分，分别为1个H3型（GRV 021603）、2个H4型（GRV 020200和GRV 021493）、4个H5型（GRV 020048、GRV 020078、GRV 020129和GRV 020236）、2个H6型（GRV 020075和GRV 020226）、1个L4型（GRV 021563）、8个L5型（GRV 020047、GRV 020283、GRV 020297、GRV 021547、GRV 021547、GRV 021581、GRV 021615和GRV 023771）、5个L6型（GRV 020103、GRV 020155、GRV 021505、GRV 021711和GRV 022171）、1个LL4型（GRV 020029）和1个LL6型（GRV 021496）。在此基础上，将我国的南极陨石和美国的南极陨石进行了类型和质量分布模型的对比。结果表明，我国南极陨石比美国南极陨石具有相对高的L群丰度；我国的南极陨石质量分布模型与美国南极陨石一致。 2、陨石中宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的化学分离、纯化实验 在前人关于陨石中宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的分离方法基础上，通过多次模拟样品的分离实验，成功地将陨石中Be和Al进行了分离、纯化。并且进一步改善了前人的分离方法，将Be的淋洗液由原来的120ml减少为90ml。在此基础上，用空白样品和吉林陨石的硅酸盐样品对整个化学分离实验进行了检验，并将所获得的BeO和Al2O3粉末用加速器质谱（AMS）进行了10Be和26Al的测试。根据所测定的10Be和26Al数据，计算得到吉林陨石的暴露年龄为0.52Ma，这一结果与前人所获得的吉林陨石第二阶段的暴露年龄0.4Ma接近。这一结果再次证明了陨石中宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的分离流程是成功的，同时也说明本次所测的吉林陨石样品为吉林陨石第二阶段暴露辐射的样品。 3、我国部分南极陨石和沙漠陨石的全岩化学组成分析以及宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的初步研究 对我国13块南极陨石和3块沙漠陨石进行了全岩化学成分的分析，其结果进一步证明了这些陨石由岩石、矿物分析所划分的类型的正确性。在这些陨石类型和全岩分析的基础上，对它们进行了宇宙成因核素10Be和26Al的初步分析。得到其中4块南极陨石和2块沙漠陨石的暴露年龄和居地年龄，这些陨石暴露年龄的范围为2.09－3.05Ma，居地年龄为0－0.23Ma。

苔藓碳氮稳定同位素对环境条件和大气氮沉降的指示研究

苔藓植物由于具有特殊的形态结构和生物学性质而被广泛应用于环境变化和大气沉降的指示和监测，而稳定同位素（如13C、15N、34S）是辨识环境体系中物源走向以及研究植物和环境关系的可靠技术。本论文正是结合苔藓生物指示方法和稳定同位素示踪技术，开展了苔藓碳氮同位素指示环境条件和大气氮沉降的初步研究。通过不同环境条件下苔藓同位素的对比研究，揭示了苔藓碳氮同位素对环境因子和氮沉降变化的响应机制。进而应用石生苔藓碳氮元素含量和同位素，并结合光合色素含量等参数，对贵阳地区的大气氮沉降进行了详细研究，深化了苔藓同位素方法在环境监测和大气氮沉降研究中的应用，并为城市氮污染的防治提供了地球化学依据。获取了一些有意义的发现和创新点。 1. 不同生长条件下苔藓元素含量和同位素的变化及其意义 即使在同一地点，苔藓13C会由于水分条件和光照条件的差异而发生明显变化，而树冠对大气沉降物质的长期截留吸收会使下方苔藓氮硫含量偏低以及同位素偏负，其同位素效应还与树冠类型和树冠厚度有关。因此，应用苔藓元素含量和同位素指示区域环境和大气沉降时应尽量消除生境差异的影响，受生长条件影响或歪曲了的苔藓指示信息可能导致在解释环境变化和大气沉降时得出错误的结论，相对而言，开阔地的石生苔藓是较可靠的指示工具。利用同位素方法探讨苔藓记录信息的差异是本研究的创新点之一，目前国内外尚无相关的报道，这深化了苔藓碳氮同位素对环境条件和大气输入响应机制的认识，同时还为苔藓同位素研究大气沉降提供了采样指导。 2. 不同地区苔藓新老组织碳氮含量和同位素组成特征 贵阳市区苔藓碳含量高于贡嘎山地区，而13C明显偏负，表明城市苔藓受人为CO2排放的影响，而非污染区苔藓13C能够响应海拔和年均温度的差异。贵阳市区苔藓氮含量较高反映其氮沉降高于贡嘎山地区，明显偏负的15N值主要指示了城市废水氨释放的影响。不同地区苔藓新生组织的碳氮含量总体高于衰老组织，但同位素没有明显变化，反映了生理功能的衰退和部分元素向新生组织迁移会导致老组织碳氮含量降低，但不会明显改变其碳氮同位素记录，新组织氮含量较可靠地反映了氮沉降的水平（贵阳市约为30.18 kg/ha/yr，贡嘎山地区约为8.46 kg/ha/yr）。本研究扩展了苔藓同位素对不同地区环境因子和氮沉降差异的响应状况，并首次探讨了苔藓衰老对其碳氮含量和同位素记录的影响，为深入理解非维管植物衰老过程的碳氮同位素分馏奠定基础。 3. 贵阳地区大气氮沉降的空间分布 根据大气氮沉降和苔藓氮含量之间的定量关系（y=0.052x+0.7325），可以利用石生苔藓氮含量（0.85% ~ 2.97%）计算贵阳地区的大气氮沉降。贵阳地区的氮沉降（0.91 kg/ha/yr ~ 44.69 kg/ha/yr）总体已经超过最易受影响的陆地生态系统的氮沉降负荷值（5 kg/ha/yr ~ 10 kg/ha/yr），市区氮沉降平均值（29.21±6.17 kg/ha/yr）与前期监测值（30.18kg/ha/yr）基本一致，高于酸性针叶林和落叶林的氮沉降负荷值（15 kg/ha/yr ~ 20 kg/ha/yr）。而农村地区氮沉降平均值（14.31±5.11 kg/ha/yr）与贵州农村地区铵沉降的平均值（14.3 kg/ha/yr）吻合。本研究首次根据石生苔藓氮含量量化了氮沉降的水平和空间分布，对大气氮沉降生态环境影响的评价以及喀斯特地区脆弱生态系统的保护具有重要意义。 4. 贵阳地区大气氮沉降的主要来源和主要形态 贵阳地区石生苔藓15N值（-12.50‰ ~ -1.39‰）呈明显的双峰分布模式（-12‰ ~ -6‰和-5‰ ~ -2‰），表明该地区的氮沉降存在两个主要来源。市区明显偏负的苔藓15N值（平均-8.87±1.65‰，<5km; -8.59±2.28‰，5 km ~ 10km）主要反映城市废水和人畜排泄物NH3的影响，而往外到农村较高的苔藓15N值（平均-3.83±0.82‰ ~ -2.48±0.95‰，>15km）主要指示了农业NH3的贡献。根据市区苔藓和雨水15N值计算，市区氮沉降中铵态氮的贡献约占76%，硝态氮约为23%，贵阳地区的氮沉降以铵沉降为主。本研究首次发现了以铵沉降为主的城市地区苔藓15N值市区偏负、农村偏正的变化规律，这与氮沉降以硝态氮为主的城市苔藓15N变化（市区偏正、农村偏负）相反。此外，根据苔藓15N随大气沉降中铵态氮和硝态氮比值的变化规律，贵阳地区苔藓氮含量和15N的变化主要由两种不同铵源（城市铵和农业铵）的变化所控制，贵阳苔藓氮含量和15N的空间变化可以进一步作为铵沉降变化的证据。 5. 贵阳地区主要大气氮源（铵）的沉降机制与模式 贵阳市区往外石生苔藓氮含量随离市中心的距离呈指数降低（y=1.5e-0.13x+1.26），而15N值随距离对数升高（y=2.54Ln(x)-12.23），揭示了城市来源的铵沉降从市区往外随距离指数降低，其分布模式为点源模式，贵阳市区可被视为贵阳地区的一个点状氨源。而农村地区苔藓氮含量不随距离而变化、15N值不存在明显差异，反映了农业氨的面源分布模式。通过极限法计算苔藓氮含量和15N随距离变化的函数，氮沉降在离市中心17.2km以内以城市铵为主，以外以农业铵为主，城市铵的影响范围总体小于41km，城市铵随离市中心距离的变化关系为y=56.272e-0.116x-0.481。此外，贵阳市区往外不同方向的苔藓氮含量和15N随距离的变化梯度存在差异，表明城市铵向周边不同方向的传输具有非均一性，这主要与不同方向的地形条件、地表植被状况、风向、城市化程度等差异有关。本研究首次通过苔藓监测证实以铵沉降为主的城市，城市铵沉降的分布呈点源模式，并通过苔藓氮含量和15N的变化得出了城市铵的定量分布、沉降机制和影响因素。 6. 贵阳地区石生苔藓碳含量和13C值的变化及其意义 贵阳地区石生苔藓碳含量（34.47% ~ 52.76%）从市区到农村随距离指数降低（y=9.206e-0.042x+38.024），并与氮含量存在正相关关系，表明大气氮输入具有增加苔藓碳含量的作用。苔藓13C值（-30.69‰ ~ -26.96‰）从市区到农村随距离逐渐升高（y=0.674Ln(x)-30.03），反映了城市人为CO2的影响逐渐减小。此外，苔藓13C随碳氮含量增加而降低，碳氮同位素存在正相关关系，反映了石生苔藓光合作用与氮素吸收相互制约，市区较高的氮沉降或铵沉降增强了苔藓光合作用和碳代谢，使苔藓在固碳过程中发生更大的13C分馏。本研究首次发现了城市地区较高的氮沉降能够促进石生苔藓光合固碳能力，苔藓13C值能够指示城市人为CO2的影响以及氮沉降的生物效应。 7．其它创新之处 为深入认识城市地区氮沉降的变化及其生物响应，本研究还对石生苔藓光合色素含量进行了分析，首次探讨了石生苔藓光合生理参数和碳氮含量、碳氮同位素之间的关系。市区苔藓光合色素含量高于农村地区，叶绿素含量与碳氮含量存在正相关关系，表明光合色素分析可以反映环境胁迫状况、苔藓固碳能力和氮素营养状况。叶绿素含量与13C值呈负相关关系指示了氮沉降增强石生苔藓光合作用的机制。

Bound on quantum computation time: Quantum error correction in a critical environment

We obtain an upper bound on the time available for quantum computation for a given quantum computer and decohering environment with quantum error correction implemented. First, we derive an explicit quantum evolution operator for the logical qubits and show that it has the same form as that for the physical qubits but with a reduced coupling strength to the environment. Using this evolution operator, we find the trace distance between the real and ideal states of the logical qubits in two cases. For a super-Ohmic bath, the trace distance saturates, while for Ohmic or sub-Ohmic baths, there is a finite time before the trace distance exceeds a value set by the user. © 2010 The American Physical Society.

Fermion bag approach to lattice field theories

We propose a new approach to the fermion sign problem in systems where there is a coupling U such that when it is infinite the fermions are paired into bosons, and there is no fermion permutation sign to worry about. We argue that as U becomes finite, fermions are liberated but are naturally confined to regions which we refer to as fermion bags. The fermion sign problem is then confined to these bags and may be solved using the determinantal trick. In the parameter regime where the fermion bags are small and their typical size does not grow with the system size, construction of Monte Carlo methods that are far more efficient than conventional algorithms should be possible. In the region where the fermion bags grow with system size, the fermion bag approach continues to provide an alternative approach to the problem but may lose its main advantage in terms of efficiency. The fermion bag approach also provides new insights and solutions to sign problems. A natural solution to the "silver blaze problem" also emerges. Using the three-dimensional massless lattice Thirring model as an example, we introduce the fermion bag approach and demonstrate some of these features. We compute the critical exponents at the quantum phase transition and find ν=0.87(2) and η=0.62(2). © 2010 The American Physical Society.

Changes in neuroticism following trauma exposure.

Using longitudinal data, the present study examined change in midlife neuroticism following trauma exposure. Our primary analyses included 670 participants (M(age) = 60.55; 65.22% male, 99.70% Caucasian) who completed the NEO Personality Inventory at ages 42 and 50 and reported their lifetime exposure to traumatic events approximately 10 years later. No differences in pre- and post-trauma neuroticism scores were found among individuals who experienced all of their lifetime traumas in the interval between the personality assessments. Results were instead consistent with normative age-related declines in neuroticism throughout adulthood. Furthermore, longitudinal changes in neuroticism scores did not differ between individuals with and without histories of midlife trauma exposure. Examination of change in neuroticism following life-threatening traumas yielded a comparable pattern of results. Analysis of facet-level scores largely replicated findings from the domain scores. Overall, our findings suggest that neuroticism does not reliably change following exposure to traumatic events in middle adulthood. Supplemental analyses indicated that individuals exposed to life-threatening traumas in childhood or adolescence reported higher midlife neuroticism than individuals who experienced severe traumas in adulthood. Life-threatening traumatic events encountered early in life may have a more pronounced impact on adulthood personality than recent traumatic events.

High-Resolution CT for Small-Animal Imaging Research

Preclinical imaging has a critical role in phenotyping, in drug discovery, and in providing a basic understanding of mechanisms of disease. Translating imaging methods from humans to small animals is not an easy task. The purpose of this work is to review high-resolution computed tomography (CT) also known as micro-CT for small-animal imaging. We present the principles, the technologies, the image quality parameters, and the types of applications. We show that micro-CT can be used to provide not only morphological but also functional information such as cardiac function or vascular permeability. Another way in which micro-CT can be used in the study of both function and anatomy is by combining it with other imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography or single-photon emission tomography. Compared to other modalities, micro-CT imaging is usually regarded as being able to provide higher throughput at lower cost and higher resolution. The limitations are usually associated with the relatively poor contrast mechanisms and the radiation damage, although the use of novel nanoparticle-based contrast agents and careful design of studies can address these limitations.

Kinetic studies of the effect of varnish on water loss by glass-ionomer cements

OBJECTIVES: This paper reports a study of the water loss behaviour of two commercial glass-ionomer cements coated with varnishes. METHODS: For each cement (Fuji IX Fast or Chemflex), specimens (6mmdiameterx2mm depth) were prepared and cured for 10min at 37 degrees C. They were exposed to a desiccating environment over H(2)SO(4) either uncoated or coated with the appropriate varnish (Fuji Varnish, a solvent-based lacquer, or Fuji Coat, a light-cured varnish). Four specimens were prepared for each material. They were weighed at hourly intervals for 6h, daily for up to 5 days, then weekly thereafter until equilibration. RESULTS: Unlike the uncoated specimens, water loss from varnished cements was not Fickian, but followed the form: mass loss=A/t+B, where t is time, A and B are constants specific to each cement/varnish combination. A varied from 1.22 to 1.30 (mean 1.26, standard deviation 0.04), whereas B varied from 1.54 to 2.09 (mean -1.83, standard deviation 0.29). At equilibrium, varnished specimens lost much less water than unvarnished ones (p>0.01) but there was no significant difference between the solvent-based and the light-cured varnishes. SIGNIFICANCE: Varnishes protect immature glass-ionomer cements from drying out by altering the mechanism of water loss. This slows the rate of drying but does not necessarily change the total amount of water retained. It confirms that, in clinical use, glass-ionomer restoratives should be varnished to allow them to mature satisfactorily.

ICln, a novel integrin alpha(11b)beta3-associated protein, functionally regulates platelet activation.

A critical role for the conserved -integrin cytoplasmic motif, KVGFFKR, is recognized in the regulation of activation of the platelet integrin IIb3. To understand the molecular mechanisms of this regulation, we sought to determine the nature of the protein interactions with this cytoplasmic motif. We used a tagged synthetic peptide, biotin-KVGFFKR, to probe a high density protein expression array (37,200 recombinant human proteins) for high affinity interactions. A number of potential integrin-binding proteins were identified. One such protein, a chloride channel regulatory protein, ICln, was characterized further because its affinity for the integrin peptide was highest as was its expression in platelets. We verified the presence of ICln in human platelets by PCR, Western blots, immunohistochemistry, and its co-association with IIb3 by surface plasmon resonance. The affinity of this interaction was 82.2 ± 24.4 nM in a cell free assay. ICln co-immunoprecipitates with IIb3 in platelet lysates demonstrating that this interaction is physiologically relevant. Furthermore, immobilized KVGFFKR peptides, but not control KAAAAAR peptides, specifically extract ICln from platelet lysates. Acyclovir (100 µM to 5 mM), a pharmacological inhibitor of the ICln chloride channel, specifically inhibits integrin activation (PAC-1 expression) and platelet aggregation without affecting CD62 P expression confirming a specific role for ICln in integrin activation. In parallel, a cell-permeable peptide corresponding to the potential integrin-recognition domain on ICln (AKFEEE, 10–100 µM) also inhibits platelet function. Thus, we have identified, verified, and characterized a novel functional interaction between the platelet integrin and ICln, in the platelet membrane.

Factores explicativos de las actitudes hacia el castigo juvenil. Evidencias de un diseño factorial

El rol desempeñado por la opinión pública en el desarrollo de la política criminal actual justifica el incremento de investigaciones destinadas a evaluar las actitudes de los ciudadanos hacia el castigo. No obstante, los avances en este ámbito han sido limitados debido a la utilización de rudimentarios instrumentos de medida. Por ello, el presente trabajo tiene como propósito explorar el efecto que generan en la opinión ciudadana ciertas variables referidas al hecho delictivo y al infractor, precisando su contribución relativa y la interacción existente entre ellas. Para satisfacer este objetivo se recurrió a un diseño factorial de la encuesta, creando una población de 256 casos-escenario fruto de la combinación de cuatro factores: la edad del joven, su historial delictivo, el grado de implicación en el hecho y el tipo de delito cometido. Los mismos fueron distribuidos en grupos de ocho casos ordenados aleatoriamente y fueron suministrados a 32 sujetos. Posteriormente se aplicaron análisis de regresión logística binaria. Los resultados obtenidos revelan que la naturaleza violenta de los hechos, la implicación activa de los jóvenes y el historial delictivo son predictores importantes de las condenas punitivas. Sin embargo la edad, una variable fundamental en la configuración de la justicia juvenil, no resulta significativa. De este modo, el trabajo muestra el potencial explicativo de este conjunto de factores y debate sus implicaciones teóricas y metodológicas para la investigación futura en este terreno.