A preliminary study for establishing Perna viridis (Mollusca:Bivalvia) as a biological monitor for pollution in Karachi coastal water

Adverse effects of toxic substances on the environmental quality have become a subject of concern in recent years. Toxicity of heavy metals has never been in dispute and therefore their presence in our natural environment is undesirable. This study was undertaken to establish the capability of Perna viridis as a monitor for pollution in the Manora channel. Accumulation of Zinc, Copper, Iron and Manganese by marine mussels, sampled from Manora channel, was determined. Metal load varied markedly between individuals from the same populatin. This variability was partly accounted for systematic relationship between metal load and body weight and age. The distribution of metal between the major organs was considered, but the analysis of separate organs showed no advantage for their use as a biological monitor. comparison between Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc concentration in ambient sea water and in the mussel showed no clear correspondence. The results suggest that the mussel is capable of acting as a biological monitor, although may not be a good short term monitor of Iron, Manganese, Zinc and Copper. It may have potential as a long term and site comparison monitor for metals, once inherent variability is taken into account

Freezer temperature monitor and alarm

An electronic instrument for measuring freezer temperature in the range of +40 to -40°C is described. The salient features of the instrument are remote display (digital and analogue versions with an accuracy of ± 0.1 and ± 0.5°C respectively) and provision for continuous record of temperature. Two types of sensors using thermistor and P. N. function of transistor were used for temperature sensing.

Using drift nets to capture early life stages and monitor spawning of the Yangtze River Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

P>A sampling system for capturing sturgeon eggs using a D-shaped bottom anchored drift net was used to capture early life stages (ELS) of Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, and monitor annual spawning success at Yichang on the Yangtze River, 1996-2004, before and just after the Three Gorges Dam began operation. Captured were 96 875 ELS (early life stages: eggs, yolk-sac larvae = eleuthero embryos, and larvae); most were eggs and only 2477 were yolk-sac larvae. Most ELS were captured in the main river channel and inside the bend at the Yichang spawning reach. Yolk-sac larvae were captured for a maximum of 3 days after hatching began, indicating quick dispersal downstream. The back-calculated day of egg fertilization over the eight years indicated a maximum spawning window of 23 days (20 October-10 November). Spawning in all years was restricted temporally, occurred mostly at night and during one or two spawning periods, each lasting several days. The brief temporal spawning window may reduce egg predation by opportunistic predators by flooding the river bottom with millions of eggs. During 1996-2002, the percentage of fertilized eggs in an annual 20-egg sample was between 63.5 to 94.1%; however, in 2003 the percentage fertilized was only 23.8%. This sudden decline may be related to the altered environmental conditions at Yichang caused by operation of the Three Gorges Dam. Further studies are needed to monitor spawning and changes in egg fertilization in this threatened population.

Tolerance analysis for incident angle of volume phase holographic grating used in optical channel performance monitor

Transmission Volume Phase Holographic Grating (VPHG) is adopted as spectral element in the real-time Optical Channel Performance Monitor (OCPM), which is in dire need in the Dense Wavelength -division-multiplexing(DATDM) system. And the tolerance of incident angle, which can be fully determined by two angles: 6 and (p, is finally inferred in this paper. Commonly, the default setting is that the incident plane is perpendicular to the fringes when the incident angle is mentioned. Now the situation out of the vertical is discussed. By combining the theoretic analysis of VPHG with its use in OCPM and changing 6 and (0 precisely in the computation and experiment, the two physical quantities which can fully specify the performance of VPHG the diffraction efficiency and the resolution, are analyzed. The results show that the diffraction efficiency varies greatly with the change of 6 or (p. But from the view of the whole C-band, only the peak diffraction efficiency drifts to another wavelength. As for the resolution, it deteriorates more rapidly than diffraction efficiency with the change of (p, while more slowly with the change of theta. Only if \phi\less than or equal to+/-1degrees and alpha(B) -0.5 less than or equal to theta less than or equal to alpha(B) + 0.5, the performance of the VPHG would be good enough to be used in OCPM system.

辽东山区次生林生态系统主要树种幼苗对光环境的响应

辽东山区森林是辽宁省重要的水源涵养基地与用材林资源，在维系区域内生态环境和林产品的可持续供应方面占据十分重要的战略位置。该区的天然林已基本绝迹，因此该区的森林生态恢复具有重要意义。 已有研究表明，影响辽东山区森林更新演替最主要的环境因素是光环境。核桃楸（Juglans mandshurica）、水曲柳（Fraxinus mandshurica）、黄菠萝（Phellodendron amurense）和红松(Pinus koraiensis)是阔叶红松林的优势树种；这些树种幼苗对光环境的适应性差异，在群落演替和森林生态恢复中发挥重要作用。 本论文采用人为控制遮光试验测定了核桃楸、水曲柳和黄菠萝幼苗对光环境的响应，同时，采用自然光环境试验和人为控制遮光试验相结合的手段测定了红松幼苗对光环境的适应性。人为控制遮光试验设置的光环境类似于自然中的典型林窗、林缘和林下的光环境；在人为控制遮光试验中，研究材料于2007年4月末栽植于4个不同光环境（全光、全光的60%、30%和15%，分别记为FI、II、LI和WI处理）下，在2007年7~9月测定了树种幼苗的光合生理、叶片特征、生长和冠层形态特征等方面的变化，结果表明： 1）不同光环境处理区内的光合有效辐射（PAR）具有显著差异，形成一定的光强梯度，而气温，相对湿度和土壤含水量差异并不显著。全光处理区内的日平均PAR为842.4μmol∙m-2∙s-1，最大PAR为1884.1μmol∙m-2∙s-1，显著高于其它处理区。 2）生长在高光强下4个树种幼苗的叶片有较高的光合能力（Amax），随生长光强的下降，Amax显著下降；光补偿点（LCP）和光饱和点（LSP）也表现出随着生长光强的下降而降低的趋势。核桃楸和水曲柳净光合速率Pn的日变化最大值约为16μmol∙m-2∙s-1，黄菠萝的约为13μmol∙m-2∙s-1，这与温带阔叶树种叶片的最大净光合速率Pn在10~15μmol∙m-2∙s-1范围内的结论相符；3个苗龄红松针叶的Pn日变化均呈单峰型，没有光合“午休”现象，峰值出现在11:00~13:00期间。 3）4个树种幼苗的比叶重（LMA）和单位叶面积鲜重（LFA）均随着光环境的降低而下降；三个阔叶树种幼苗的叶长L、叶宽W、叶周长C和单叶面积A均具有随着光强的降低而呈增大的趋势，表明叶片通过调节叶片的形态来适应多变的光环境。 4）不同光环境对阔叶树种幼苗的植株冠形和生长有显著影响，而红松幼苗植株冠形和生长的变化无明显的规律性。 综上，本研究得出以下结论：○1.通过可塑性分析和模糊隶属函数分析，核桃楸和黄菠萝较水曲柳能适应更宽的光强幅度；同时，核桃楸和黄菠萝较水曲柳的需光性更强，核桃楸和黄菠萝的需光性差异不大。○2.与3年、5年生红松相比，7年生红松对光强的适应幅度最小；同时，7年生红松的需光性强于3年和5年生红松。○3.本研究结果支持前人的观点：红松在幼年阶段能耐一定程度的遮光，在全光的20%~60%光条件下生长较好，随着年龄的增大，红松的需光性增加。

An online monitor ionization chamber used in particle therapy

The clinical trials of tumor therapy using heavy ions beam C-12 are now in progress at Institute of Modem Physics in Lanzhou. In order to achieve the precise radiotherapy with the high energy C-12 beam in active pencil beam scanning mode, we have developed an ionization chamber(IC) as an online monitor for beam intensity and also a dosimeter after calibration. Through the choosing of working gas and voltage, optimizing of the electrics and the read-out system, calibrating the linearity, the detector system provide us one of the simple and highly reliable way to monitoring the beam during the active pencil beam scanning treatments. The measurement results of this detector system show that it could work well under the condition of high energy C-12 beam in active pencil beam scanning mode.

HIRFL-CSR电子冷却束流位置测量系统；A Beam Position Monitor System for Electron Cooler in HIRFL-CSR

高效率的电子冷却过程,要求电子束与离子束位置平行且重叠。为了同时测量电子束与离子束的位置,在HIRFL-CSR电子冷却装置上研发了以容性圆筒形极板为感应电极的束流位置探测系统。系统测量束流通过探针时产生的脉冲感应信号,并进行傅里叶变换得到频谱信号,分析4个不同电极上频谱信号强度获取束流的位置信息。测量结果表明,该束流位置探测系统测量准确,为定量研究储存环离子累积和电子冷却过程与两种束流相对位置及角度的依赖关系提供了条件。

不同光强下核桃楸、水曲柳和黄菠萝的光合生理特征

研究辽东山区次生林3种树种幼苗(核桃楸、水曲柳和黄菠萝)对生长光环境的适应性,在生长季测定4种光强下(全光、60%透光、30%透光、15%透光,分别记为FI,II,LI和WI)树种幼苗叶片气体交换参数、净光合速率、单位叶面积叶绿素含量和比叶重(LMA)。结果表明:随着光强的减弱,3个树种的光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、最大光合速率(Pmax)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)、类胡萝卜素(Car)、LMA、单位叶鲜质量(LFA)均呈下降趋势;全光下单位叶面积的叶绿素Chl含量均低于弱光处理。本研究结果支持水曲柳在幼苗时期具有一定耐荫性的观点。树种生理生态指标的可塑性分析表明:黄菠萝能适应更宽的光强幅度,且黄菠萝的需光性大于核桃楸。不同光环境下3个树种的生理生态变化特征对解释森林生态系统内树种的共生和演替具有重要意义。

Validation and in situ application of an automated dissolved nickel monitor for estuarine studies

The validation of a fully automated dissolved Ni monitor for in situ estuarine studies is presented, based on adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV). Dissolved Ni concentrations were determined following on-line filtration and UV digestion, and addition of an AdCSV ligand (dimethyl glyoxime) and pH buffer (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-2-ethanesulphonic acid). The technique is capable of up to six fully quantified Ni measurements per hour. The automated in situ methodology was applied successfully during two surveys on the Tamar estuary (south west Britain). The strongly varying sample matrix encountered in the estuarine system did not present analytical interferences, and each sample was quantified using internal standard additions. Up to 37 Ni measurements were performed during each survey, which involved 13 h of continuous sampling and analysis. The high resolution data from the winter and summer tidal cycle studies allowed a thorough interpretation of the biogeochemical processes in the studied estuarine system.

烯烃聚合高性能FI催化剂的进展

FI催化剂系一近几年发展起来的烯烃聚合高性能催化剂。以它的极高的活性、聚合物分子结构的可控性、多重活性聚合等特性而引人注目。本评述首先进行该催化剂的化学描述,然后分别介绍该催化剂的主要特征、活性中心结构、聚合机理和应用,重点介绍该催化剂的五大特征。

COBALT PORPHYRIN NAFION FILM ON CARBON MICROARRAY ELECTRODE TO MONITOR OXYGEN FOR ENZYME ANALYSIS OF GLUCOSE

A microcarbon array electrode was modified by the placement of a Nafion film containing cobalt tetramethylpyridyl phorphyrin on its surface. This electrode was applied to the analysis of solution glucose when it was further modified by the immobilization of glucose oxidase on the outermost surface of the Nafion by the cross-linking of serum albumin with glutaraldehyde. The concomitant decrease in the concentration of oxygen, as it was consumed in the enzymatic reaction of glucose with glucose oxidase, was determined by either cyclic voltammetry or a double potential step method at the porphyrin-Nafion catalytic electrode. Glucose could be determined in the range of 0.01-4 mM rapidly, without interference from substances such as ascorbate or other saccharides.

Form, fi gure, and the experience of time in seven southern composers of the 1950s-60s

After the 1980s it is diffi cult, following stylistic criteria, to draw a map of contemporary academic music. All styles are compossible, and all are practiced. In this context, the geographical entity “South of Italy” does not stand out for a musical identity with special technical-stylistic features. Rather, at a socio-cultural level, the South remains today – in music no less than in all areas where there is a gap between top development and stagnation – a land of emigrants: six out of the seven composers treated (Ivan Fedele, Giuseppe Colardo, Rosario Mirigliano, Giuseppe Soccio, Nicola Cisternino, Biagio Putignano, Paolo Aralla) live in the North of Italy. The positive aspect of this is the affi nity of the South with the transnational and superstructural community of contemporary music, which from European and Western has now become almost global. The composers under consideration belong to the generation of the ‘50s, rooted in the serial and post-serial movements (from which Franco Donatoni, Luciano Berio, Luigi Nono, Salvatore Sciarrino, Giacinto Scelsi, are the principals models, to mention only the Italians), dipped in the general phenomenon of timbrism (particularly spectralism), and acquainted with electronics. They draw from these sources various instruments of compositional technique and aspects of their poetics. In particular these composers, active from the ‘80s, develop new ways of construction of the temporal form of music. They share the goal to establish a new continuity, different from the tonal one but at the same time transcending the serial and post-serial disintegration and fragmentation. The primary means to this end is a new enhancement of the category of fi gure, as a clear and distinct, recognizable aggregate of pitches, intervals, register, durations, timbre, articulation, dynamics, and texture. Each composer elaborates the atonal fi gural material in different ways, emphasizing one aspect or another. For example, Fedele (1953) is a master in the management of form per se, Colardo (1953) in the activation of disturbed harmonic effects, Mirigliano (1950) in the creation of a slight tension from the smallest vibrations of sound, Soccio (1950) in the set up of movement by means of accumulations and discharges of energy, Cisternino (1957) in a Cagean-Scelsian emphasis on sound as such, Putignano (1960) in the suspension of time through the succession and transformation of images, Aralla (1960) in the foundation of form from below, from the concreteness of sound.

Identyfikacja domen WG/GW zaangażowanych w wiązanie białek Argonaute oraz analiza mechanizmów molekularnych odpowiedzialnych za ich zmienność

Wydział Biologii: Instytut Biologii Molekularnej i Biotechnologii

An approach to monitor the fraction of elemental carbon in the ultrafine aerosol

Attempts were made to measure the fraction of elemental carbon (EC) in ultrafine aerosol by modifying an Ambient Carbonaceous Particulate Monitor (ACPM, R&P 5400). The main modification consisted in placing a quartz filter in one of the sampling lines of this dual-channel instrument. With the filter all aerosol and EC contained in it is collected, while in the other line of the instrument the standard impactor samples only particles larger than 0.14 μm. The fraction of EC in particles smaller than 0.14 μm is derived from the difference in concentration as measured via the two sampling lines. Measurements with the modified instrument were made at a suburban site in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. An apparent adsorption artefact, which could not be eliminated by the use of denuders, precluded meaningful evaluation of the data for total carbon. Blanks in the measurements of EC were negligible and the EC data were hence further evaluated. We found that the concentration of EC obtained via the channel with the impactor was systematically lower than that in the filter-line. The average ratio of the concentrations was close to 0.6, which indicates that approximately 40% of the EC was in particles smaller than 0.14 μm. Alternative explanations for the difference in the concentration in the two sampling lines could be excluded, such as a difference in the extent of oxidation. This should be a function of loading, which is not the case. Another reason for the difference could be that less material is collected by the impactor due to rebound, but such bounce of aerosol is very unlikely in The Netherlands due to co-deposition of abundant deliquesced and thus viscous ammonium compounds. The conclusion is that a further modification to assess the true fraction of ultrafine EC, by installing an impactor with cut-off diameter at 0.1 μm, would be worth pursuing. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.