Partial characterization of the hemolytic activity of the nematocyst venom from the jellyfish Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye

Using a recently developed technique to extract jellyfish venom from nematocysts, the present study investigated the hemolytic activity of Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye nematocyst venom on chicken erythrocytes. Venom extract caused a significant concentration-dependent hemolytic effect. The extract could retain its activity at -80 degrees C but was unstable when kept at 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C for 2 days. The hemolytic activity was inhibited by heating within the range of 37-100 degrees C. The extract was active over a pH range of 5.0-8.63 and the pH optima for the extract was 7.8. Incubation of the venom with sphingomyelin specially inhibited hemolytic activity by up to 70%. Cu2+ and Mn2+ greatly reduced the hemolytic activity while Mg2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+ produced a relatively low inhibiting effect on the hemolytic activity. Treatment with Ca2+ induced a concentration-dependent increase in the hemolytic activity. In the presence of 5 mM EDTA, all the hemolytic activity was lost, however, the venom containing 1.5 mM EDTA was stable in the long-term storage. PLA(2) activity was also found in the nematocyst venom of C. nozakii. These characteristics provide us a fundamental knowledge in the C. nozakii nematocyst venom which would benefit future research. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Structural studies on a novel fucogalactan sulfate extracted from the brown seaweed Laminaria japonica

A low molecular weight fucogalactan, obtained from the brown seaweed Laminaria japonica, was separated into three fractions (LF1, LF2 and LF3) by DEAE-Sepharose FF column chromatography. All three fractions contained predominantly fucose, sulfate group and galactose. The results showed that the main fraction LF2 consisted of L-fucose, D-galactose and sulfate at a molar ratio 6:1:9. Structural study on the LF2 was carried out by NMR spectroscopy. The backbone of LF2 was primarily (1 -> 3)-linked alpha-L-fucopyranose residues (75%) and a few (1 -> 4)-alpha-L-fucopyranose linkages (25%). The branch points were at C-4 of 3-linked alpha-L-fucopyranose residues by beta-D-galactopyranose unites (35%, molar ratio) or at C-2 of 3-linked alpha-L-fucopyranose residues by non-reducing terminal fucose unites (65%, molar ratio). Sulfate groups occupied at position C-4 or C-2, sometimes C-2, 4 to fucose residues, and C-3 and/or C-4 to galactose residues. The structure of LF2 was supposed as following: [GRAPHICS] (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

巨穗小麦种质C-分带特征分析

对5个不同类型巨穗小麦种质材料进行C－分带分析，发现均有一对特征染色体存在，初步确定这对染色体为小麦－黑麦1BL／1RS易位染色体。

Effect of imitated global warming on Delta C-13 values in seven plant species growing in Tibet alpine meadows

Open-top chambers were used to estimate the possible effects of global warming on delta C-13 of seven plant species grown in alpine meadow ecosystem. The delta C-13 values of plant species were lower after long-term growth in open-top chambers. In the course of experiment, temperature significantly increased inside the chambers by 4 degrees C. Plant species grown at a lower elevation above sea level had higher delta C-13 values as compared to those grown at a higher elevation. This was in accordance with the effect of open-top chamber on delta C-13 values in plants. Greater availability of CO2 and lower water vapor as indicated by an increase in discrimination against (CO2)-C-13, probably result in more negative delta C-13 values of plants because higher stomatal conductance increases availability of CO2 and causes greater discrimination against (CO2)-C-13. The plant species studied could be the indicator species for testing global warming by the change in carbon isotope ratios at the two growth temperatures.

俯冲带深部流体特征——以西南天山变质俯冲杂岩为例

The subduction zone is an important site of the fluid activity and recycling of chemical elements. The fluid characteristic of deep subduction zones is a top scientific problem attracting the petrologists, geochemists and tectonists. In this dissertation, the characteristics of fluid activity within a deep subduction zone have been explored on the basis of the studies on the petrography, mineral chemistry, fluid inclusions, geochemistry and metamorphic P–T conditions of the omphacite-bearing high-pressure veins and related hosts from the low-temperature/high-pressure metamorphic belt in southwestern Tianshan, China. Multiple high-pressure veins are exposed in host eclogites and blueschists. The veins are composed predominantly of omphacite, garnet, quartz, and other minerals. Some veins contain cm-sized rutiles. In general, the vein can be divided into three types, the ‘in situ dehydration’ vein, the ‘external transport’ vein and the ‘composite’ vein. The omphacites within the veins and related host rocks contain lots of two-phase or three-phase primary fluid inclusions. The final melting temperature (Tfm) of fluid inclusions varies mainly from -0.6 to -4.3 °C, the homogeneous temperature (Th) varies from 185 to 251 °C, the salinity varies from 1.1 to 6.9 wt.% NaCl equivalent and the density varies from 0.81 to 0.9 g/cm3. The fluids were released under the conditions of T = 520–580°C and P = 15–19 kbar at blueschist facies to eclogite facies transition. The fluids include not only Li, Be, LILE, La, Pb-enriched and HFSE- and HREE-depleted aqueous fluids but also HFSE (Ti-Nb-Ta)-rich aqueous fluids. The complex composed of aluminosilicate polymers and F was the catalyst which had caused the Ti-Nb-Ta to be dissolved into the fluids. During the transport of the LILE-rich and HFSE- and HREE-poor fluids, they can exchange some chemical elements with country rocks and leach some trace elements in some extent. The rutile could be precipitated from the HFSE (Ti-Nb-Ta)-rich aqueous fluids when CO2 was added into the fluids. The host rocks could obtain some elements, such as Ca, Cs, Rb, Ba and Th, from the external fluids. The fluids with complex composition had been released within the deep subduction zone (>50 km) in Early Carboniferous during the subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean under the Yili–Central Tianshan Plate. The results obtained in this dissertation have made new progress compared with the published data (e.g. Tatsumi, 1989; Becker et al., 1999; Scambelluri and Philippot, 2001; Manning, 2004; Hermann et al., 2006; Spandler and Hermann, 2006).

青藏高原横波速度与各向异性结构及其壳幔形变印迹

As the most spectacular and youngest case of continental collision on the Earth, to investigate the crust and mantle of Tibetan plateau, and then to reveal its characters of structure and deformation, are most important to understand its deformation mechanism and deep process. A great number of surface wave data were initially collected from events occurred between 1980 and 2002, which were recorded by 13 broadband digital stations in Eurasia and India. Up to 1,525 source-station Rayleigh waveforms and 1,464 Love wave trains were analysed to obtain group velocity dispersions, accompanying with the detail and quantitative assessment of the fitness of the classic Ray Theory, errors from focal and measurements. Assuming the model region covered by a mesh of 2ox2o-sized grid-cells, we have used the damped least-squares approach and the SVD to carry out tomographic inversion, SV- and SH-wave velocity images of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Tibetan Plateau and surroundings are obtained, and then the radial anisotropy is computed from the Love-Rayleigh discrepancy. The main results demonstrate that follows, a) The Moho beneath the Tibetan Plateau presents an undulating shape that lies between 65 and 74 km, and a clear correlation between the elevations of the plateau and the Moho topography suggests that at least a great part of the highly raised plateau is isostatically compensated. b) The lithospheric root presents a depth that can be substantiated at ~140 km (Qiangtang Block) and exceptionally at ~180 km (Lhasa Block), and exhibits laterally varying fast velocity between 4.6 and 4.7 km/s, even ~4.8 km/s under northern Lhasa Block and Qiangtang Block, which may be correlated with the presence of a shield-like upper mantle beneath the Tibetan Plateau and therefore looked as one of the geophysical tests confirming the underthrusting of India, whose leading edge might have exceeded the Bangong-Nujiang Suture, even the Jinsha Suture. c) The asthenosphere is depicted by a low velocity channel at depths between 140 and 220 km with negative velocity gradient and velocities as low as 4.2 km/s; d) Areas in which transverse radial anisotropy is in excess of ~4% and 6% on the average anisotropy are found in the crust and upper mantle underlying most of the Plateau, and up to 8% in some places. The strength, spatial configuration and sign of radial anisotropy seem to indicate the existence of a regime of horizontal compressive forces in the frame of the convergent orogen at the same time that laterally varying lithospheric rheology and a differential movement as regards the compressive driving forces. e) Slow-velocity anomalies of 12% or more in southern Tibet and the eastern edge of the Plateau support the idea of a mechanically weak middle-to-lower crust and the existence of crustal flow in Tibet.

影响C4草本植物C／N比值变化的因素与土壤有机C积累的关系

文章对采自贵州从低海拔的东部到高海拔的西部且大致平行的石灰岩和砂岩两地带均生长的3种C4草本植物，即巴茅(Miscanthus floridulus)、白茅(Imperata cylindrica)和类芦(Neyraudia reynaudiana)，以及相对应的土壤表层样品，进行了营养元素和C同位素组成分析；研究营养元素含量随着海拔的不同而出现的变化趋势，以及这些元素之间的相互协变作用，尤其是Ca���N之间的相互协变作用对植物的N含量、C／N比值和δ^13C值的影响，以了解植物的C／N比值(指示植物残留物质量的一种标志)与土壤有机C积累的关系。研究结果表明，植物的N含量和δ^13C值具有随海拔的上升而显著增大趋势，而植物的C／N比值在砂岩地区虽有减小的趋势，在石灰岩地带则没有。对所研究的C4草本植物来说，在土壤pH值为5．8的中性条件下显示出Ca���最大吸收，因此，Ca���其他营养元素之间的协变模式在两种土壤类型中表现出相反的倾向，并存在土壤交换性Ca���边界浓度：当土壤可交换性Ca���含量为2．24mg／g，相应土壤的pH值在5．8以下时，随着土壤可交换性Ca���度的增大，植物的N含量上升，而植物的C／N比值会显著降低；当Ca���边界浓度以上时，随着土壤可交换性Ca���度的增大，植物的N含量下降，而植物的C／N比值有增加的趋势。由此可见，植物残留物的N含量和C／N比值受Ca���素含量的相互协变作用的影响。在砂岩地区，随着植物C／N比值的增高，土壤有机质的含量却随之下降，而在石灰岩地区则没有这种倾向。因此得出结论：植物的C／N比值的增大对土壤有机碳积累的影响主要取决于土壤的性质，尤其是取决于土壤可交换性Ca���含量。

岩石圈伸展对粤北下庄矿田铀成矿的制约机制研究

地球动力学与成矿关系的研究是地球科学研究的前沿领域，而陆内岩石圈伸展与成矿的关系的研究则是该领域相对比较薄弱的环节。 华南地区于白垩—古近纪发生了岩石圈强烈的伸展减薄事件，且岩石圈伸展减薄与该区同时期形成的众多金属和非金属矿床有密切的成因联系，尤其是华南地区的花岗岩型热液铀矿床，显示了与该区岩石圈伸展作用可能有多方面的成因联系。粤北下庄铀矿田位于位于南岭铀-多金属成矿带的南部，是华南地区典型的花岗岩型热液铀矿区，本次研究在深入细致的野外地质工作的基础上，运用流体包裹体地球化学、元素地球化学、同位素地球化学等方法手段，开展了对下庄铀矿田成矿流体性质、成矿过程中元素的活动规律、成矿流体来源及演化等方面的系统研究，初步探讨了岩石圈伸展对该区铀成矿的制约机制，并建立了可能的矿床成因模式。通过研究，本次工作获得了以下几点主要认识： （1）通过对下庄铀矿田部分铀矿床流体包裹体显微测温、激光拉曼光谱及液相成分分析研究，查明了下庄矿田铀矿床矿前期热液属中高温（200℃~350℃）、低盐度（0.72%~5.95%NaCl）、密度中等（0.703~0.830g/cm3）、活动深度较深（2.29km~5.74km）、富∑CO2、相对还原性质的流体；成矿期热液属中低温（主要为154℃ ~250℃）、低盐度（0~1.83%NaCl）、密度中等（0.628~0.867g/cm3）、活动深度较浅（0.19km~1.62km）、富F-、相对氧化性质的流体。 （2）矿石矿矿物电子探针测试分析及岩、矿石的微量元素地球化学分析研研究表明，本区铀矿床主要的原生铀矿物为沥青铀矿、铀石、钛铀矿，铀矿物的形成与Si、Ca���W等元素有密切的关系，而其它金属元素未显示明显地富集。矿石、脉石矿物部分继承了原岩的稀土元素组成，且在原岩基础上又有高度的演化。 （3）进行了矿区内碳酸盐的C、O同位素和黄铁矿的He、Ar稀有气体同位素的分析研究。研究表明，矿化剂∑CO2主要为幔源，大量的He、Ar等稀有气体也来自于地幔。矿区发育的深大断裂构造可能控制了幔源挥发份的加入。 （4）脉石矿物碳酸盐和萤石的Sr、Nd同位素地球化学研究显示，成矿流体中的这些元素主要源于地壳，南区矿床（338、339）的Sr、Nd组成则为富含壳源Sr、Nd的流体与幔源基性脉岩不同程度的水—岩反应所致。另外，碳酸盐铅同位素研究显示，下庄矿区成矿物质铀可能来自帽峰式后期流体交代的花岗岩体。 （5）岩石圈伸展与下庄矿田铀成矿有关系密切：下庄矿田铀矿床明显受伸展构造控制，伸展构造既为导矿构造，又为储矿构造；岩石圈伸展导致的地温梯度升高，大地热流平均值加大，驱动热液流体的流动，为铀成矿提供了主要的热驱动力；岩石圈伸展产生的深大断裂导通了壳幔间的联系，使幔源脱气成因挥发份（主要为∑CO2）沿断裂上升，加入壳源热水循环系统，从而参与了铀成矿。 （6）初步建立了下庄矿田“岩石圈伸展体系下大陆热水系统铀矿床成因模式”。模式认为，华南地区白垩—古近纪岩石圈伸展作用引发区内热水流体的大规模循环，且伸展引起的幔源脱气作用产生的挥发份（主要为ΣCO2）加入了贫铀、贫矿化剂的循环的地下热水中，形成了富矿化剂热水。富矿化剂热水从富铀花岗岩中浸出铀（氧化作用），变为富矿化剂、富铀热液流体，这种热液流体在伸展引起的热驱动下沿构造上升，热液流体上升到浅部时，由于地球化学障、流体压力释放等因素的影响，U被还原沉淀，并在有利部位富集成矿。

贵州凉风洞石笋的古气侯记录与古生态环境意义

自20世纪60年代以来，探索全球性气候变化规律和环境变迁史的研究工作在世界各国广泛开展。大规模的深海岩芯的研究、中国北方黄土的系统研究、大型湖泊沉积岩芯的研究及对树木年轮、泥炭、珊瑚、冰芯等“自然环境历史档案”开展的研究工作，都为重建古气候和古生态环境提供了大量的资料。洞穴化学沉积物（石笋）由于其特有的微层结构及其内的稳定氧、碳同位素和微量元素所蕴含的古气候与古生态环境信息，并且具有分布广、时间长、信息保存完整等特点，因此，它是研究地球环境变化很好的自然环境历史档案。本论文通过对凉风洞洞穴体系的综合研究和对凉风洞石笋（微层）生长特征及石笋的碳、氧稳定同位素组成的研究，系统探讨了贵州凉风洞石笋的古气候记录和古生态环境意义，得出以下主要结论：1，地表植被的类型及生物量等信息可综合反映于洞穴体系的不同组．分（气样、土样、水样）中。而洞穴的水动力条件也能很好的被洞穴滴水中所含微量（常量）元素记录。根据分析，洞穴综合体系对外界气候与生态环境的响应关系存在一定规律性。通过对比说明，我们所选的凉风洞基岩的溶蚀和缓冲对水体中的信息影响不大，即洞穴滴水较好的继承了土壤水所携带的地表气候与生态环境信息，是理想的研究对象。2．凉风洞石笋具有多个沉积旋回，不同沉积旋回的纹层组合及纹层结构存在一定的差异，指示不同的沉积环境。根据年龄数据判断，旋回①至旋回⑧之间年龄跨度为1570-8000 aBP，以呈缓平顶（柱）对称叠复状的沉积形态组合为主，示洞顶滴水量较大，滴水点相对稳定，且均匀，与全新世较为稳定的气候与环境变化的主旋律相一致。旋回⑧以下至底部石葡萄状沉积物之上部分之间年龄跨度为8000-14220 aBP，期间经历末次冰期晚期向全新世大暖期过渡，受诸如新仙女木事件（Younger Dryas）等的影响，气候变化幅度大，且经历多次反复，石笋生长的沉积学特征表现为斜锥（柱）、尖顶锥不对称叠复纹层组合，示洞顶滴水水量较小但变化较大，且洞穴滴水不稳（固）定。与此时间段内不稳定的气候与环境变化的主旋律也相一致。3．凉风洞石笋上段微层具有典型南方石笋微层发育的特性：微层发育较差，层面多弯曲，层间界面模糊等。下段因为沉积间断较多、风化层面厚及受到若干时段内碳酸钙重结晶而导致晶体穿插层位生长的影响，尽管在某些层位有微层发育，但无法对石笋微层作连续观察记录。根据高精度的石笋TIMS、ICP-MS测年数据和在显微镜下所数石笋微层数量的对比，扣除若干个沉积间断及风化层导致的微层缺失，以及显微镜下肉眼对细小微层计数的误差，我们认为，凉风洞石笋微层是年生长层的可能性较大。4，由于部分测年数据仍在测试中，目前无法精确控制石笋中沉积间断的存在导致的信息缺失，因此，我们仅仅根据部分石笋测年数据，建立了凉风洞石笋在不同时段的生长速率。全新世以来石笋的生长速率在22μm／yr-51μm／yr之间，明显高于末次冰期晚期向全新世过渡这一时间段内的石笋生长速率（16μm／yr）。这些数据间接印证了石笋生长响应于外界气候，尤其是降雨的变化。5．通过对洞穴体系的综合分析对比，我们判断凉风洞洞穴综合体系相对完整，洞穴化学沉积物的6先值较为直接的响应了土壤c压的61t值变化，即反映了地表的植被（c3植物和c；植物）的组成状况。贵州地区降雨80％集中在5-10月份，在此期间，基本受西南季风和东亚季风所控制。西南季风盛行时贵州各地的降雨频繁，是一年中雨量最集中的时期，在东亚季风影响时期，贵州多晴少雨，往往形成干早的天气。又西南季风控制区大气降雨创的值的加权平均值明显低于东亚季风控制区大气降雨δ18O值的加权平均值。因此，贵州地区年均降雨量和年均降雨δ18O值主要取决于西南（印度洋）季风的强弱：西南季风加强，降雨量增加，年均降雨剐、值偏负；西南季风减弱，降雨量减少，年均降雨δ18O值偏正。洞穴滴水的6旧O值变化基本继承了大气降水的别勿值变化。因此，对地处我国西南地区贵州南部的凉风洞，源于洞穴滴水的凉风洞石笋的别勺值变化直接响应了外界的大气降雨量的变化和西南季风与东亚季风相互的强弱交替。6．对凉风洞石笋碳、氧同位素组成的时间序列曲线作20点移动平均，发现，特别是进入全新世后，石笋的引3c值和扩、值几乎具有完全一致的同步变化，只是在变化幅度上在某些时段存在差异。说明在凉风洞石笋反映的14220-1570 aBP时间段内，尤其是10500-1570 aBP期间，本区域气候具有雨热（或干冷）同期的气候特征：在气温较高时间段，西南季风增强，气候湿润多雨，更有利于地表。植物的生长。气温降低时，随着东亚季风增强，西南季风减弱，气候干旱少雨，地表C；植物的生长占有一定的比例。据此重建和恢复了本地区14220-1570 aBP期间的古气候和古生态环境：（1）．14220-10500aBP，处于末次冰期晚期，气温较低。凉风洞石笋此时段的司、值都大于-9.8‰，最小值为-9.31‰，最大值达-7.290‰，平均值为-8.552‰。说明凉风洞洞穴地表的生长植被。植物占有一定的组分，石笋的δ18C值受C3植物和C4植物的共同影响。此时段内石笋6、值也存在一定的波动（-5.651‰－6.942‰），考虑到末次冰期晚期先全新世过渡期间气温变幅较大，O'Neil等（1969）所建立的氧同位素平衡分馏方程中的温度变化已不能忽略，并且大气降雨的温度效应作用也比较明显，因此我们对此时段的季风和大气降雨量的变化不作讨论。（2）. 10500-9300 aBP，新仙女木事件结束，进入全新世，气温逐渐回升。凉风洞石笋此时段的扩3c值大都小于-9.8‰，最小值为-10.377‰，最大值为-9.267‰，平均值为-9.910‰。凉风洞洞穴地表植被已逐渐由C3植物占主导。此时段石笋δ18C值明显卜降，最小值为-7.420‰，最大值为-6.077‰，平均值为-6.854‰。反映在全新世早期夏季风盛行，降雨量较大，西南季风对本地区全年降雨贡献率大。（3）．9300-8300 aBP，经历一段明显温度波动变化。仟3c值在-9.8‰上下波动，最小值为-10.155‰，最大值为-9.096‰，平均值为-9.712‰。凉风洞洞穴地表植被C4植物所占比例存在反复。此时段石笋岁a0值变化幅度不是很大，最小值为-6.796‰，最大值为-6.260‰，平均值为-6.490‰。受冬季风影响，夏季风有一定的减弱，总体降雨量一般，东亚季风对本地区全年降雨贡献率比全新世初期有所增大。（4）．8300-3l000BP，俗称全新世大暖期，此时段全球气温明显回升，石笋δ18C值总体逐渐降低，最小值为-n．926编，平均值为-10.496‰。凉风洞洞穴地表植被基本由C3植物所控制。但在扩飞值总体逐渐降低的趋势一F，也存在若干扩3c值明显增大时段，如7700-6700 aBP时段，61七值最大值达-8.110‰，地表C4植物所占比例已不能忽略。此时段石笋6150值变化幅度较大，最小值为-7.373‰，最大值为-5.047‰，平均值为-6.261‰。反映在全新世大暖期的大背景下西南季风和东亚季风的交替以及大气降雨量的变化存在较大的波动，说明了季风气候的不稳定性。（5）．3100-1570 aBP，在3100aBP前后，凉风洞石笋的δ18C值和δ18O值均急剧上升，标志进入晚全新世。此时段气温变幅很大，δ18C值总体虽然仍偏低，平均值为-10.275‰，但刻畜介于-6.495-12.097‰之间；δ18C值平均值为-6.184‰，变幅介于-4.677-8.65‰之间，均超过以往任何时段。此时段凉风洞洞穴地表植被基本上仍然由C。植物所控制，始于3100 aBP的急速降温事件使得在全新世晚期开始时段C4植物所占比例有一定的上升。此时段内西南季风和东亚季风反复多次交替，大气降雨量存在较大幅度的变化，说明了季风气候在此时段的很不稳定性。对于169于巧70 oBP百年时间段内石笋的δ18C值和司、值巨大幅度的急剧升高，有待进一步研究，也不排除石笋表层长期裸露受外界污染所致。

Detection of amino-terminal extracellular domain of somatostatin receptor 2 by specific monoclonal antibodies and quantification of receptor density in medulloblastoma.

Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is expressed by most medulloblastomas (MEDs). We isolated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the 12-mer (33)QTEPYYDLTSNA(44), which resides in the extracellular domain of the SSTR2 amino terminus, screened the peptide-bound MAbs by fluorescence microassay on D341 and D283 MED cells, and demonstrated homogeneous cell-surface binding, indicating that all cells expressed cell surface-detectable epitopes. Five radiolabeled MAbs were tested for immunoreactive fraction (IRF), affinity (KA) (Scatchard analysis vs. D341 MED cells), and internalization by MED cells. One IgG(3) MAb exhibited a 50-100% IRF, but low KA. Four IgG(2a) MAbs had 46-94% IRFs and modest KAs versus intact cells (0.21-1.2 x 10(8) M(-1)). Following binding of radiolabeled MAbs to D341 MED at 4 degrees C, no significant internalization was observed, which is consistent with results obtained in the absence of ligand. However, all MAbs exhibited long-term association with the cells; binding at 37 degrees C after 2 h was 65-66%, and after 24 h, 52-64%. In tests with MAbs C10 and H5, the number of cell surface receptors per cell, estimated by Scatchard and quantitative FACS analyses, was 3.9 x 10(4) for the "glial" phenotype DAOY MED cell line and 0.6-8.8 x 10(5) for four neuronal phenotype MED cell lines. Our results indicate a potential immunotherapeutic application for these MAbs.

Molecular dynamics simulation of observed c(4x4) and c(4x3) C60 alignments on the Si(100) reconstructed surface.

We have implemented a large-scale classical molecular dynamics simulation at constant temperature to provide a theoretical insight into the results of a recently performed experiment on the monolayer and multi-layer formations of molecular films on the Si(100) reconstructed dimerized surface. Our simulation has successfully reproduced all of the morphologies observed on the monolayer film by this experiment. We have obtained the formation of both c(4 4) and c(4 3) structures of the molecules and have also obtained phase transitions of the former into the latter.

Sediment transfer and accumulation in two contrasting salt marsh/mudflat systems: the Seine estuary (France) and the Medway estuary (UK)

Understanding the dynamics of fine sediment transport across the upper intertidal zone is critical in managing the erosion and accretion of intertidal areas, and in managed realignment/estuarine habitat recreation strategies. This paper examines the transfer of sediments between salt marsh and mudflat environments in two contrasting macrotidal estuaries: the Seine (France) and the Medway (UK), using data collected during two joint field seasons undertaken by the Anglo-French RIMEW project (Rives-Manche Estuary Watch). High-resolution ADCP, Altimeter, OBS and ASM measurements from mudflat and marsh surface environments have been combined with sediment trap data to examine short-term sediment transport processes under spring tide and storm flow conditions. In addition, the longer-term accumulation of sediment in each salt marsh system has been examined via radiometric dating of sediment cores. In the Seine, rapid sediment accumulation and expansion of salt marsh areas, and subsequent loss of open intertidal mudflats, is a major problem, and the data collected here indicate a distinct net landward flux of sediments into the marsh interior. Suspended sediment fluxes are much higher than in the Medway estuary (averaging 0.09 g/m(3)/s), and vertical accumulation rates at the salt marsh/mudflat boundary exceed 3 cm/y. Suspended sediment data collected during storm surge conditions indicate that significant in-wash of fine sediments into the marsh interior can occur during (and following) these high-magnitude events. In contrast to the Seine, the Medway is undergoing erosion and general loss of salt marsh areas. Suspended sediment fluxes are of the order of 0.03 g/m(3)/s, and the marsh system here has much lower rates of vertical accretion (sediment accumulation rates are ca. 4 mm/y). Current velocity data for the Medway site indicate higher velocities on the ebb tide than occur on the flood tide, which may be sufficient to remobilise sediments deposited on the previous tide and so force net removal of material from the marsh.

Contrasting transcriptome response to thermal stress in two key zooplankton species, Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis

Climate change has already led to the range expansion of warm-water plankton assemblages in the northeast Atlantic and the corresponding range contraction of colder-water species. The temperate copepod Calanus finmarchicus is predicted to shift farther northward into polar waters traditionally dominated by the arctic copepod C. glacialis. To identify temperaturemediated changes in gene expression that may be critical for the thermal acclimation and resilience of the 2 Calanus spp., we conducted a whole transcriptome profiling using RNA-seq on an Ion Torrent platform. Transcriptome responses of C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis from Disko Bay, west Greenland, were investigated under realistic thermal stresses (at + 5, +10 and +15°C) for 4 h and 6 d. C. finmarchicus showed a strong response to temperature and duration of stress, involving up-regulation of genes related to protein folding, transcription, translation and metabolism. In sharp contrast, C. glacialis displayed only low-magnitude changes in gene expression in response to temperature and duration of stress. Differences in the thermal responses of the 2 species, particularly the lack of thermal stress response in C. glacialis, are in line with laboratory and field observations and suggest a vulnerability of C. glacialis to climate change.

Polymorphisms in the interleukin-4 and IL-4 receptor genes modify risk for chronic inflammatory arthropathies in women.

Rheumatoid and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (RA, JIA) are chronic inflammatory arthropathies with polygenic autoimmune background. We analysed the IL-4 +33 C/T and IL-4R Q551R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 294 RA, 72 JIA and 165 controls from Northern Ireland. Analysis of the individual phenotypes (RA or JIA) showed that both the IL-4 +33 TT (P = 0.02; OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07-0.87) and the IL-4R Q551R CC genotypes (P = 0.001; OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.56) were exclusively decreased in female RA patients compared to female controls. Similar non-significant trends were observed in female JIA patients (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.03-2.11 and OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.07-1.47, respectively). Analysis of the common phenotype (inflammatory arthropathy; i.e. JIA and RA combined) corroborated the unique association of these polymorphisms with female inflammatory arthropathy (P = 0.013 and 0.002, respectively). This is the first demonstration of sex-specific association of the two foremost genes of the IL-4 signalling cascade with chronic inflammatory arthropathies.

Social networks applied to training

In this article, we address the importance and relevance that social networks exhibit in their use as an educational resource.  This relevance relies in the possibility of implementing new learning resources or increasing the level of the participant's connectivity, as well as developing learning communities.  Also, the risk entailed from their use is discussed, especially for the students that have a low technological education or those having excessive confidence on the media.  It is important to highlight that the educational use of social networks is not a simple extension or translation of the student's habitual, recreational use, but that it implies an important change in the roles given to teachers as well as learners; from accommodative learning environments that only encourage memorization to other environments that demand an active, reflective, collaborative and proactive attitude, that require the development/acquisition of technological as well as social abilities, aptitudes and values.  It is also important to highlight that a correct implementation and adequate use will not only foment formal learning, but also informal and non-formal learning.