Use of novel biomarkers (Homocysteine, vitamin B6, B9 and B12) on the assessing the progression of cardiovascular disease

A large number of evidences correlate elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcys) with a higher cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk, especially, atherosclerosis. Similarly, abnormal low levels of the vitamins B6, B9 and B12 are associated to an instability in the methionine cycle with an over production of Hcys. Thus, biomedical sciences are looking forward for a cheaper, faster, precise and accurate analytical methodology to quantify these compounds in a suitable format for the clinical environment. Therefore the objective of this study was the development of a simple, inexpensive and appropriate methodology to use at the clinical level. To achieve this goal, a procedure integrating a digitally controlled (eVol®) microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and an ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to a photodiode array detector (PDA) was developed to identify and quantify Hcys vitamins B6, B9 and B12. Although different conditions were assayed, we were not able to combine Hcys with the vitamins in the same analytical procedure, and so we proceeded to the optimization of two methods differing only in the composition of the gradient of the mobile phase and the injected volume. It was found that MEPS did not bring any benefit to the quantification of the Hcys in the plasma. Therefore, we developed and validate an alternative method that uses the direct injection of treated plasma (reduced and precipitated). This same method was evaluated in terms of selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), matrix effect and precision (intra-and inter-day) and applied to the determination of Hcys in a group composed by patients presenting augmented CVD risk. Good results in terms of selectivity and linearity (R2> 0.9968) were obtained, being the values of LOD and LOQ 0.007 and 0.21 mol / L, respectively. The intra-day precision (1.23-3.32%), inter-day precision (5.43-6.99%) and the recovery rate (82.5 to 93.1%) of this method were satisfactory. The matrix effect (>120%) was, however, higher than we were waiting for. Using this methodology it was possible to determine the amount of Hcys in real plasma samples from individuals presenting augmented CVD risk. Regarding the methodology developed for vitamins, despite the optimization of the extraction technique and the chromatographic conditions, it was found that the levels usually present in plasma are far below the sensitivity we obtained. Therefore, further optimizations of the methodology developed are needed. As conclusion, part of the objectives of this study was achieved with the development of a quick, simple and cheaper method for the quantification of Hcys.

Minerals and vitamin B9 in dried plants vs. infusions: assessing absorption dynamics of minerals by membrane dialysis tandem in vitro digestion

Vitamins and mineral elements are among the most important phytochemicals due to their important role in the maintenance of human health. Despite these components had already been studied in different plant species, their full characterization in several wild species is still scarce. In addition, the knowledge regarding the in vivo effects of phytochemicals, particularly their bioaccessibility, is still scarce. Accordingly, a membrane dialysis process was used to simulate gastrointestinal conditions in order to assess the potential bioaccessibility of mineral elements in different preparations of Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Laurus nobilis (laurel) and Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia (dandelion). The retention/passage dynamics was evaluated using a cellulose membrane with 34 mm pore. Dandelion showed the highest levels of all studied mineral elements (except zinc) independently of the used formulations (dried plant or infusion), but yarrow was the only species yielding minerals after the dialysis step, either in dried form, or as infusion. In fact, the ability of each evaluated element to cross the dialysis membrane showed significant differences, being also highly dependent on the plant species. Regarding the potential use of these plants as complementary vitamin B9 sources, the detected values were much lower in the infusions, most likely due to the thermolability effect.

A linear root water uptake model

A model of root water extraction is proposed, in which a linear variation of extraction rate with depth is assumed. Five crops are chosen for simulation studies of the model, and soil moisture depletion under optimal conditions from different layers for each crop is calculated. Similar calculations are also made using the constant extraction rate model. Rooting depth is assumed to vary linearly with potential evapotranspiration for each crop during the vegetative phase. The calculated depletion patterns are compared with measured mean depletion patterns for each crop. It is shown that the constant extraction rate model results in large errors in the prediction of soil moisture depletion, while the proposed linear extraction rate model gives satisfactory results. Hypothetical depletion patterns predicted by the model in combination with a moisture tension-dependent sink term developed elsewhere are indicated.

Oxidation of sodium sulphide in the presence of fine activated carbon particles in a foam bed contactor

The oxidation of sodium sulphide in the presence of fine activated carbon particles (4.33 μm) has been studied at 75°C in a foam bed contactor. The existing single-stage model of a foam bed reactor has been modified to take into account the effect of heterogeneous catalyst particles and the absorption in the storage section. The variables studied are catalyst loading, initial sulphide concentration and the average liquid hold-up in the foam bed. It is seen that the rates of oxidation of sodium sulphide are considerably enhanced by an increase in the loading of activated carbon particles. The rate of conversion of sodium sulphide also increases with an increase in the average liquid hold-up in the foam. The modified model predicts these effects fairly well. The contribution of reaction in the storage section is found to be less than 2% of the overall rate of conversion in the contactor.

Impact of low temperature storage on active and storage forms of folate in choy sum (Brassica rapa subsp parachinensis)

Choy sum (Brassica rapa subsp. parachinensis) is a dark green leafy vegetable that contains high folate (vitamin B9) levels comparable to spinach. Folate is essential for the maintenance of human health and is obtained solely through dietary means. Analysis of the edible portion of choy sum by both microbiological assay and LC-MS/MS indicated that total folate activity remained significantly unchanged over 3 weeks storage at 4 degrees C. Inedible fractions consisted primarily of outer leaves, which showed signs of rotting after 14d, and a combination of rotting and yellowing after 21 d, contributing to 20% and 40% of product removal, respectively. Following deconjugation of the folate present in choy sum to monoglutamate and diglutamate derivatives, the principal forms (vitamers) of folate detected in choy sum were 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate, followed by tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5,10-methenyl-THF, and 10-formyl folic acid. During storage, a significant decline in 5-formyl-THF was observed, with a slight but not significant increase in the combined 5-methyl-THF derivatives. The decline in 5-formyl-THF in relation to the other folate vitamers present may indicate that 5-formyl-THF is being utilised as a folate storage reserve, being interconverted to more metabolically active forms of folate, such as 5-methyl-THF. Although folate vitamer profile changed over the storage period, total folate activity did not significantly change. From a human nutritional perspective this is important, as while particular folate vitamers (e.g. 5-methyl-THF) are necessary for maintaining vital aspects of plant metabolism, it is less important to the human diet, as humans can absorb and interconvert multiple forms of folate. The current trial indicates that it is possible to store choy sum for up to 3 weeks at 4 degrees C without significantly affecting total folate concentration of the edible portion. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A study on the reaction of silicon tetrahalides with phosphorus pentoxide and of alkali metal fluorosilicates with phosphorus pentoxide and sulphur trioxide

Silicon tetrahalides, SiX4 (X=F, Cl, Br) and the fluorosilicates of sodium and potassium react with phosphorus pentoxide above 300°C. The tetrahalides give rise to the corresponding phosphoryl halides and silica, while the fluorosilicates form the corresponding metal fluorophosphates and silicon tetrafluoride. The reaction of the fluorosilicates of sodium and potassium with sulphur trioxide occurs at room temperature to give rise to the corresponding metal fluorosulphates and silicon tetrafluoride.

Molecular genetics of Meckel syndrome : Ciliary genes are defective in MKS

Meckel syndrome (MKS, MIM 249000) is a severe developmental disorder that leads to death already in utero or shortly after birth. MKS diagnosis can be established by a careful ultrasound examination already at 11-14 weeks of gestation. The main features of MKS are occipital meningoencephalocele, cystic kidney dysplasia and fibrotic changes of the liver. In addition, polydactyly is frequently reported in the cases. The aim of the study was to characterize the molecular and functional defects in MKS. In this study we were able to identify two major MKS mutations in Finnish population, which cover over 90% of the cases. The first mutation is a 29 bp intronic deletion in the MKS1 gene (c.1483-7_35del) that is found in 70% of the families and the second is a C>T substitution in the coding region of CC2D2A (c.1762C>T), that is found in 20% of the MKS families. Both of these mutations result in abnormal splicing. The discovery of the disease genes has revealed that MKS is caused by primary cilia dysfunction. MKS1 gene has a conserved B9 domain, and it is found in the predicted ciliary proteome. CC2D2A protein is also found in the predicted ciliary proteome and it has a Ca2+ binding domain. The number of genes behind MKS has increased rapidly in the past years and to date, mutations have been identified in five genes (MKS1, TMEM67/MKS3, CEP290/MKS4, RPGRIP1L/MKS5 and CC2D2A/MKS6). Identification of the disease genes mutations has also revealed that MKS is an allelic disorder with other syndromes with overlapping phenotypes. Disorders that are caused by primary cilia dysfunction are collectively known as ciliopathies. Sequence analysis of all the known MKS genes in Finnish and non-Finnish families available to us, where the mutation was still unknown, revealed mutations in 14 out of the 30 families included in the study. When we collected all the reported mutations in MKS genes in different syndromes we could see that there was clearly a genotype-syndrome correlation between the mutations and the syndromes, since the same pair of mutations has never been reported in different syndromes. The basic molecular events behind MKS will not only give us information of this syndrome, but also significant novel information on early fetal development in general.

Molecular line and continuum studies of the early stages of star formation

New stars form in dense interstellar clouds of gas and dust called molecular clouds. The actual sites where the process of star formation takes place are the dense clumps and cores deeply embedded in molecular clouds. The details of the star formation process are complex and not completely understood. Thus, determining the physical and chemical properties of molecular cloud cores is necessary for a better understanding of how stars are formed. Some of the main features of the origin of low-mass stars, like the Sun, are already relatively well-known, though many details of the process are still under debate. The mechanism through which high-mass stars form, on the other hand, is poorly understood. Although it is likely that the formation of high-mass stars shares many properties similar to those of low-mass stars, the very first steps of the evolutionary sequence are unclear. Observational studies of star formation are carried out particularly at infrared, submillimetre, millimetre, and radio wavelengths. Much of our knowledge about the early stages of star formation in our Milky Way galaxy is obtained through molecular spectral line and dust continuum observations. The continuum emission of cold dust is one of the best tracers of the column density of molecular hydrogen, the main constituent of molecular clouds. Consequently, dust continuum observations provide a powerful tool to map large portions across molecular clouds, and to identify the dense star-forming sites within them. Molecular line observations, on the other hand, provide information on the gas kinematics and temperature. Together, these two observational tools provide an efficient way to study the dense interstellar gas and the associated dust that form new stars. The properties of highly obscured young stars can be further examined through radio continuum observations at centimetre wavelengths. For example, radio continuum emission carries useful information on conditions in the protostar+disk interaction region where protostellar jets are launched. In this PhD thesis, we study the physical and chemical properties of dense clumps and cores in both low- and high-mass star-forming regions. The sources are mainly studied in a statistical sense, but also in more detail. In this way, we are able to examine the general characteristics of the early stages of star formation, cloud properties on large scales (such as fragmentation), and some of the initial conditions of the collapse process that leads to the formation of a star. The studies presented in this thesis are mainly based on molecular line and dust continuum observations. These are combined with archival observations at infrared wavelengths in order to study the protostellar content of the cloud cores. In addition, centimetre radio continuum emission from young stellar objects (YSOs; i.e., protostars and pre-main sequence stars) is studied in this thesis to determine their evolutionary stages. The main results of this thesis are as follows: i) filamentary and sheet-like molecular cloud structures, such as infrared dark clouds (IRDCs), are likely to be caused by supersonic turbulence but their fragmentation at the scale of cores could be due to gravo-thermal instability; ii) the core evolution in the Orion B9 star-forming region appears to be dynamic and the role played by slow ambipolar diffusion in the formation and collapse of the cores may not be significant; iii) the study of the R CrA star-forming region suggests that the centimetre radio emission properties of a YSO are likely to change with its evolutionary stage; iv) the IRDC G304.74+01.32 contains candidate high-mass starless cores which may represent the very first steps of high-mass star and star cluster formation; v) SiO outflow signatures are seen in several high-mass star-forming regions which suggest that high-mass stars form in a similar way as their low-mass counterparts, i.e., via disk accretion. The results presented in this thesis provide constraints on the initial conditions and early stages of both low- and high-mass star formation. In particular, this thesis presents several observational results on the early stages of clustered star formation, which is the dominant mode of star formation in our Galaxy.

香根草生态学特性及其应用研究

用百喜草(Paspalum notatum)和水花(Alternanthera philoxeroides)等草本植物作对比，通过叶片离体实验、温室盆栽实验、田间小区实验和大田推广实验，并结合室内分析，较系统地研究了香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)的抗热、抗冻和抗盐特性和对污水的净化效果。此外，还探讨了矮化香根草和促进香根草分蘖的可能性；提出了香根草生态工程的思想，阐述了香根草生态工程推广应用的价值与效果；通过对国内野生香根草资源的调查和标本鉴定,指出了过去对这个种的错误描述，提出了保护野生香根草资源和香根草湿地的紧迫性与重要意义。主要研究结果如下： 1.离体叶片电解质渗漏的测定结果表明，3种植物对高温、冻害、干旱的抵抗力依次为香根草 > 百喜草 > 水花生，特别是在胁迫程度高、幅度大或胁迫时间长时，香根草所表现出的强抗逆性更加明显。香根草有比百喜草和水花生更强的适应能力。2.叶片电导率的实验结果显示，香根草、水花生和百喜草对盐胁迫的反应相差不明显，但盆栽实验则显示出较大差异，抗盐能力明显表现为香根草 > 水花生 > 百喜草。导致3种植物生物量下降10％的EC_(se)值分别为6.4、5.1和4.3 dS m~(-1)；导致生物量下降50％的EC_(se)分别为20.9、16.2和11.5 dS m~(-1)。在抗盐等级划分上，香根草和水花生属抗盐植物种类，百喜草属中度抗盐种类。总的来说，3种植物都表现出了相对较强的抗盐特性。以上结果还表明考察植物的抗盐性时必须用整株做为实验材料，离体叶片或组织培养所得到的结果不能作为植物抗盐能力的标准。3.植物体内Na~+和Cl~-含量随土壤盐度水平升高而升高，而茎叶中的Na~+和Cl~-又直接影响到植物的生物量、叶面积、株高等。这表明盐度对3种植物生长发育的影响相当明显，且植物体的Na~+和Cl~-很可能都是影响植物生长发育的直接因子。然而，叶片光合色素受Na~+或Cl~-的影响不甚明显，而且在Na~+和Cl~-的浓度不高时色素含量还随茎叶中Na~+和Cl~-的浓度升高而显现增加趋势，即使Na~+和Cl~-的浓度较高时，光合色素下降的幅度也远不及生物量的大。这可能由于光合作用是被“反馈抑制”，而不是直接被Na~+或Cl~-抑制。4.3种植物表现出完全不同抗盐机理。香根草表现出拒盐特性，而且将所吸收的盐分的大部分(尤其是Na~+)滞留在根系内：水花生表现为稀盐特性，即当植株体内含盐量增加时，其水分含量亦增加，并趋向肉质化；百喜草有较强的吸盐能力，并可能通过盐腺泌出体内高浓度的盐分且通过加速老叶死亡来排除过多的盐。5.广州市李坑垃圾卫生填埋场的渗滤污水含有高浓度的污染物，经过人工净化后仍未 达到排放标准，对植物产生毒害并带来严重的环境污染，须作进一步净化，并建议开展生物净化来辅助物理和化学净化。6.在被观测的4种植物中，风眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes)在高浓度和低浓度2种污水中均被毒害致死；百喜草在高浓度的渗滤液中不能存活，在低浓度中受严重伤害；水花生在高浓度污水中受较重伤害，但在低浓度形成庞大生物体，这可能是污水的“富营养化”所致；香根草在这2种污水中亦受伤害，但受害程度为4种植物中最轻。总的来说，它们的抗污能力和去污效果表现为香根草 > 水花生 > 百喜草 > 风眼莲。7.在污水中表现相对较好的2种植物中，水花生对低浓度污水的净化效果总体上好于香根草，尤其对总氮和硝态氮的净化效果明显好于香根草，但香根草对高浓度污水中的7种“污物”的净化效果均优于水花生，且对低浓度污水中的磷与COD的净化亦优于水花生。在被观测的7种水质指标中，植物对氨氮的净化效果最好，净化率在77％～91％之间。此外，香根草对磷也表现出了较强的净化能力，净化率高达70％以上。香根草和水花生可分别作为高、低2种浓度垃圾污水的净化植物来辅助净化污水。8.香根草虽不是水生植物，但能在水中生长。用香根草作为污水的净化植物时须用支撑物将其固定；香根草和水花生都生长迅速，生物体高大，因此用它们净化被污染的环境时，还应适时对其地上部分进行剪割以保证新生的植株体能不断地吸收水中“污物”，使它们都能成为“超级生物累积器”。但是，任何单一植物对污水或污物的净化能力都是有限的，要想对垃圾污水产生好的净化效果，最好的办法也许是将香根草、水花生等多种有良好净化效果的植物有机结合起来，同时种植在污水中。9.植物通过吸收来去除“污物”的能力是很有限的。香根草和水花生对污水中N、P、Cl~-的吸收量只占净化量的一部分，和原液中N、P、Cl~-的含量相比，吸收量所占的比例更低。植物净化系统中的去污方式除根系的吸收作用外，还有根系的吸附、元素的沉降、固结和挥发、水体中微小动物和微生物的作用等，即是通过根系微生态系统的综合作用来达到净化目的。10.植物生长延缓剂对香根草的株高生长、分蘖速度和抽穗开花等方面都产生影响，但不同的药剂种类和浓度所产生的影响相差甚远。低浓度的延缓剂不仅不抑制香根草的株高生长，而且还有显著地促进作用，高浓度虽有抑制作用，但这种抑制也只是短期的，一般不超过2个月。延缓剂对分蘖的形成具有较好的促进作用，而且这种促进作用持续3个月左右。3种延缓剂中，以低浓度的B9促进分蘖的效果最显著，比对照高出50％。不同的延缓剂对香根草抽穗扬花的影响表现不同，PP333具有一定的促进效果，而CCC和B9-尤其是B9-表现出明显的抑制作用。总的来说，B9对香根草矮化、促进分蘖和抑制开花方面产生的效果要好于CCC和PP333。11.植物生长延缓剂对香根草的作用效果与对一般作物的作用效果相差较远，这可能是香根草的抗性较强，延缓剂对它的影响不明显所致。总的来说，植物生长延缓剂对香根草株高生长的抑制效果不理想。有关这方面的研究还有待进一步开展。12.公路滑坡不仅带来严重的交通阻塞，而且危及到行车与行人的安全。常规治理公路滑坡的手段是采取砌石墙的工程措施，这不仅费用昂贵，而且缺乏生态效益，也难以达到根治效果。应用香根草生态工程(The Vetiver Eco-engineering)对滑坡路段进行综合治理,能产生良好护坡固土效果，而且所需成本仅为机械工程的12％～18％。香根草生态工程是指以香根草为主要或核心草种，同时与一些适合当地生长的植物—包括乔木、灌木、草本、藤本一进行有机搭配，并在需要时辅以一定的工程措施，用于水土流失治理和退化生态系统的恢复的植物生态工程措施。13.为了使香根草生态工程尽快生效，应采取一定的栽培管理措施。香根草应等高密植，注意施肥，前期不要被遮光；所搭配的植物应该是抗逆性强，乔、灌、草、藤结合起来，并注意在香根草带中间适当种植一些生长迅速、抗瘠能力强、覆盖效果好的草本植物，这不仅能使坡面更稳固，而且能变得更美观。总之，香根草生态工程在公路护坡方面所产生的经济效益、社会效益和生态效益都是相当明显的，在我国南方地区有着广阔的应用前景。14.一般认为，香根草原产印度，然而，中国亦有天然的香根草群落分布。早在70多年前就在海南发现野生的香根草种，1957年又在广东吴川发现一片面积达6000多hm~2的湿生性的天然香根草群落。40年来，这片珍贵的热带湿地遭到严重破坏，香根草的面积和密度都大幅度下降。对此，笔者建议尽快在当地划一块自然保护区，这不仅是为了保护珍贵的野生香根草资源，保护当地的生物多样性和生态环境，而且能为研究热带湿地和草原提供理想基地，并为研究香根草的起源、系统演化和分类提供理想素材。15.过去的文献一直把广东吴川这片湿地中的野生香根草种认为是V. nigritana,但本文的标本鉴定认为它并不是V. nigritana或其它种，而是V. zizanioides。不过，引种栽培观测和RAPD技术研究都表明，这一野生种和普通的栽培种属于同一个种的不同生态型或基因型，而导致形成这种差异的原因是由于野生种生长在长年渍水或干湿交替的环境所致。16.目前对香根草的起源和系统演化知之甚少，香根草属的系统分类还很不完善，有 关香根草对重金属、污染物的抗性机理等诸多方面都还不太清楚或很不清楚。因此，对 香根草这一神奇植物的研究还有待继续深入地开展下去。总之，香根草这一多年生的禾本科植物对盐、碱、酸、瘦、冷、热、早、涝都表现出了较强抗性，在水土流失防治、退化生境恢复、污染环境净化、贫瘠土壤改良、农田小气候改善等方面都表现出了较好效果。香根草无愧是一种神奇之草。然而，要真正将香根草生态工程在我国南方地区大规模推广开来，还需要做较多的工作，这包括更深一步的科学研究、更广泛的宣传、培训与示范、更充分的资源利用与经济创收等。

生长调节剂处理对银杏结实的影响

盛花期对银杏雌株叶面喷施多效唑、B9、GA3、GA3+6- BA。结果表明 ,多效唑和 B9能够明显提高坐果率 ,有效增加来年成花数量。GA3和 GA3+6- BA对提高坐果无影响 ,但能增加种子重量 ,促进纵、横径增加 ,GA3还能够促进翌年成花数量。多效唑处理提高产量的原因 ,一是抑制树体营养生长 ,二是减少落花落果 ,增加植株翌年成花量

南黄海浮游植物的固碳强度与污染物胁迫下海水碳源/汇格局的变化

本论文在解析了南黄海生态环境的基础上，首次研究揭示了浮游植物固碳强度的年际变化及生态反馈机制，获得了东中国近海浮游植物固碳强度及对海域源/汇格局的影响程度；同时，用室内模拟实验探讨了重金属和有机污染物胁迫下海水无机碳体系和源汇格局的变化过程，获得了一些新的认识。主要结论如下： 1. 南黄海浮游植物固碳强度具有明显的时空变化特征，与海域光照、流系和水团变化、海水磷的浓度等因素密切相关，并在一定程度上决定海区碳源/汇的性质。2005年秋季浮游植物日固碳量达9.5万吨，1983-2005年间，南黄海浮游植物固碳强度有降低的趋势，与海水关键营养盐－磷的限制有关。东中国近海浮游植物年总固碳量约为2.2亿吨，约占全球近海浮游植物的年固碳量的2.0%。 在综合分析秋季南黄海水文、化学、生物背景的基础上，系统阐明了海域浮游植物固碳体系的生物地球化学机制。结果表明，2005年秋季南黄海浮游植物固碳强度，即初级生产力变化在 97−701 mgC m-2 d-1之间，平均为307 mg C m-2 d-1；与其关系比较密切的环境因子为海水透明度、盐度、pH、氨氮 (NH4-N)、磷酸盐 (PO4-P) 以及Chl a。在这些因素中，PO4-P对初级生产力的影响最大，显然11月份南黄海的磷是浮游植物生长的限制因子，次之的影响因素是Chl a和NH4-N。 对南黄海源汇格局的研究发现，如果除去涌升流较为活跃的站位（A9、B7、B8、B9、C8、C9、 D9和A1），2005年秋季表层海水pCO2与浮游植物固碳强度明显负相关（r=-0.8，n=23, p<0.001）。在南黄海东部浮游植物固碳强度较高，pCO2值较低；而在西部海区浮游植物固碳强度较低的区域，其pCO2值较高。碳源/汇转折点浮游植物固碳强度为230 mgC m-2 d-1，即小于此值，海区为大气二氧化碳的源，反之为汇，并且CO2汇区浮游植物固碳强度平均值约是CO2源区的2倍多；浮游植物固碳作用，在某一时间和空间尺度内，基本决定了海区的源汇格局。估算结果显示，东中国近海浮游植物固碳量约为222×106t a-1，约为东中国近海通过海－气界面总表观碳汇强度每年1369万吨的16.2倍，仅就浮游植物的年固碳量而言，东中国近海约占全球近海浮游植物的年固碳量的2.0%。 研究揭示了近年来南黄海浮游植物固碳强度具有区域与年际变化明显这一显著特点。一般，近岸区（由黄海沿岸水和表层水控制）内，光照是浮游植物固碳的主要限制因子；从2001年后的大多数年份中，中央区（黄海冷水团控制）的浮游植物固碳强度均与磷酸盐浓度显著正相关，但与氮浓度的相关性不大，说明南黄海生态系统普遍存在着磷限制而非氮限制；混合区终年受黄、东海混合水控制，受到光照条件和营养盐浓度同时影响。根据本次观测所获数据，结合以前研究者的调查资料，我们发现从1983年到2005年，南黄海浮游植物优势种由Bacillariophyta变为Pyrrophyta，浮游植物细胞丰度和Chl a明显下降，浮游植物固碳强度几乎下降了二分之一 （由569.50 mgC m-2 d-1下降至306.83 mgC m-2 d-1），说明南黄海在世界边缘海固碳过程中的作用在降低。经过相关水质参数及生态环境变化的分析，以上现象是对关键营养盐磷的限制以及光限制响应的缘故。此外，研究还发现，由于南黄海初级生产者产量下降所引起的一些生态反馈信息，如浮游动物固碳量的下降和鱼类产量的锐减。 2. 室内模拟实验显示，重金属（铅、铜、镉和锌）及有机污染物（乙醇、丙酮、尿素和多灭磷）对水体生物固碳体系有重要影响，较低浓度时可提高水体的固碳能力，相应水体中的DIC、HCO3-和 Pco2 与对照组相比都明显下降 (P<0.01)；当污染物达到一定浓度后，水体生物的固碳能力明显下降，其有机碳可降解转化为无机碳。当污染物小于转折浓度水体为大气二氧化碳的汇，反之为源。 水体固碳体系对于不同种类、不同浓度的污染物质所表现的受胁迫情况不同，低浓度各污染物（包括重金属和有机污染物）添加组中（对于重金属为0.1和1µmol•L-1，醇和酮分别为<0.5 mol L-1和<0.75 mol L-1），藻干重及固碳量均要大于初始值，说明适量的外源污染可能会促进藻类生长，提高水体的固碳能力，相应水体中的DIC、HCO3- 和PCO2与对照组相比都明显下降 (P<0.01)。当污染物达到一定浓度后，由于其毒害作用，使得水体内生物的固碳能力下降，甚至分解并转化为无机碳，从会引起DIC、HCO3- 和PCO2含量的升高，其含量上升幅度会因固碳体系对不同种类污染物耐受程度的差异而不同。对于尿素和多灭磷，二者浓度分别达到80和20mgL-1时，水体中二氧化碳各参数仍呈现下降趋势，说明在该浓度范围内，大型藻类（如石莼）仍可利用添加物中的氮和磷，将其做为氮源或磷源，促进水体总固碳量的增加。 污染物胁迫对水体碳源汇能力及格局可起到一定的调控作用，与污染物的浓度密切相关，污染物存在着一转折浓度，分别为5µmol L-1（铜）、20µmol L-1（镉） 0.75mol L-1（酮），当污染物添加小于转折浓度并排除其他影响因素时，水体表现为大气CO2的汇，并且适量的增加污染物浓度会使海洋碳汇能力有所增强；而当污染物超出转折浓度时，水体成为CO2的源，其CO2的释放量是随着污染物浓度的增加而增大。对与研究中其他种类的污染物，在实验室设计范围内，水体始终表现为大气CO2的汇。

Compressive video sensors using multichannel imagers.

We explore the possibilities of obtaining compression in video through modified sampling strategies using multichannel imaging systems. The redundancies in video streams are exploited through compressive sampling schemes to achieve low power and low complexity video sensors. The sampling strategies as well as the associated reconstruction algorithms are discussed. These compressive sampling schemes could be implemented in the focal plane readout hardware resulting in drastic reduction in data bandwidth and computational complexity.