A data-model fusion approach for upscaling gross ecosystem productivity to the landscape scale based on remote sensing and flux footprint modelling

Chinese Academy of Sciences ; National Science Foundation of China [41071059]; National Key Technology R&D Program of China [2008BAK50B06-02]; National Basic Research Program of China [2010CB950900, 2010CB950704]; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Potential Landscape and Flux Framework of Nonequilibrium Networks: Robustness, Dissipation, and Coherence of Biochemical Oscillations

We established a theoretical framework for studying nonequilibrium networks with two distinct natures essential for characterizing the global probabilistic dynamics: the underlying potential landscape and the corresponding curl flux. We applied the idea to a biochemical oscillation network and found that the underlying potential landscape for the oscillation limit cycle has a distinct closed ring valley (Mexican hat-like) shape when the fluctuations are small. This global landscape structure leads to attractions of the system to the ring valley.

Novel thin-film composite membranes with improved water flux from sulfonated cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone) bearing pendant amino groups

A new class of polymeric amine, namely, sulfonated cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPES-NH2) was synthesized and used for the preparation of thin-film composite membrane. The TFC membranes were prepared on a polysulfone supporting film through interfacial polymerization with trimesoyl chloride (TMC) solutions and amine solutions containing SPES-NH2 and m-phenylenediamine (MPDA). The resultant membranes were characterized with water permeation performance, chemical structure, hydrophilicity of active layer and membrane morphology including top surface and cross-section.

Aliphatic Poly(ester-carbonate)s Bearing Amino Groups and Its RGD Peptide Grafting

This article deals with (1) synthesis of novel cyclic carbonate monomer (2-oxo [1,3]dioxan-5-yl)carbamic acid benzyl ester (CAB) containing protected amino groups; (2) ring-opening copolymerization of the cyclic monomer with L-lactide (LA) to provide novel degradable poly(ester-carbonate)s with functional groups; (3) removal of the protective benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) groups by catalytic hydrogenation to afford the corresponding poly(ester-co-carbonate)s with free amino groups; (4) grafting of oligopeptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Tyr (GRGDSY, abbreviated as RGD) onto the copolymer pendant amino groups in the presence of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI).

Photoluminescence properties of LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles prepared by refluxing method

The europium-doped LaF3 nanoparticles were prepared by refluxing method in glycerol/water mixture and characterized with X-ray diffraction(XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, and photoluminescence spectra. The results of XRD indicated that the obtained LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles were well crystallized with a hexagonal structure. ne FE-SEM image illustrated that the LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles were spherical with an average size around 30 nm. Under irradiation of UV light, the emission spectrum of LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles exhibited the characteristic line emissions arising front the D-5(0)-> F-7(J), (J=1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of the Eu3+ ions, with the dominating emission centered at 590 nm. In addition, the emissions from the 51), level could be clearly observed due to the low phonon energies (-350 cm(-1)) of LaF3 matrix. The optimum doping concentration for LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles was determined to be 20mol.%.

Enhanced luminescence of BPO4 by mixing with SiO2 and Al2O3

In this paper, BPO4-xSiO(2) (X: SiO2/BPO4 molar ratio, 0-70%) and BPO4-xAl(2)O(3) (X: Al2O3/BPO4 molar ratio, 0-20%) powder samples were prepared by the Pechini-type sol-gel (PSG) process using glycerol and poly(ethylene glycol) as additives. The structure and optical properties of the resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), diffuse reflection spectra, photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, kinetic decay, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), respectively. It was found that the Pechini-type sol-gel-derived BPO4-xSiO(2) annealed at 1000 degrees C and BPO4-xAl(2)O(3) annealed at 960 degrees C exhibited bright bluish-white emissions centered at 428 and 413 nm, respectively. The luminescence decay curve analysis indicates that each sample has two kinds of lifetimes (more than 0.4 ms and less than 10 ns) and two types of kinetic decay behaviors, which can be fitted into a double-exponential function and a single-exponential function, respectively.

Preparation and Physical Properties of LLDPE Grafted with Novel Nonionic Surfactants

Copolymers of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) grafted with two novel nonionic surfactants, acrylic glycerol monostearate ester (AGMS) and acrylic polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate ester (ATW-EEN80), containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups and 1-olefin double bond were prepared by using a plasticorder at 190 degrees C. To evaluate the grafting degree, two different approaches based on H-1-NMR data were proposed, and FTIR calibration was showed to validate these methods. The rheological response of the molten polymers, determined under dynamic shear flow at small-amplitude oscillations, indicated that crosslinking formation of the chains could be decreased with increasing the monomer concentration. Their thermal behavior was studied by DSC and polarization microscope (PLM): The crystallization temperature (T-C) of grafted LLDPE shifted to higher temperature compared with neat LLDPE because the grafted chains acted as nucleating agents. Water and glycerol were used to calculate the surface free energy of grafted LLDPE films.

Robustness and Coherence of a Three-Protein Circadian Oscillator: Landscape and Flux Perspectives

Three-protein circadian oscillations in cyanobacteria sustain for weeks. To understand how cellular oscillations function robustly in stochastic fluctuating environments, we used a stochastic model to uncover two natures of circadian oscillation: the potential landscape related to steady-state probability distribution of protein concentrations; and the corresponding flux related to speed of concentration changes which drive the oscillations. The barrier height of escaping from the oscillation attractor on the landscape provides a quantitative measure of the robustness and coherence for oscillations against intrinsic and external fluctuations. The difference between the locations of the zero total driving force and the extremal of the potential provides a possible experimental probe and quantification of the force from curl flux. These results, correlated with experiments, can help in the design of robust oscillatory networks.

Evaluation of different culture conditions for high-level soluble expression of human cyclin A(2) with pET vector in BL21 (DE3) and spectroscopic characterization of its inclusion body structure

In this paper, we evaluated various parameters of culture condition affecting high-level soluble expression of human cyclin A, in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and demonstrated that the highest protein yield was obtained using TB(no glycerol) + 0.5% glucose medium at 25 degrees C. By single immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, we got highly purified human cyclin A(2) with a yield ranged from 20 to 30 mg/L. By amyloid-diagnostic dye ThT binding and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, we observed a significant decrease in alpha-helix content and an increase in beta-sheet structure in cyclin A(2) inclusion body in comparison to its native protein, and confirmed the resemblance of the internal organization of cyclin A(2) inclusion body and amyloid fibrils.

Preparation and properties of a reactive type nonionic surfactant grafted linear low density polyethylene

A reactive type nonionic surfactant, monostearic acid monomaleic acid glycerol diester (MMGD) was synthesized in our laboratory. Grafting-copolymerization of linear low density polyethylene ( LLDPE) with MMGD was carried out by using beta ray irradiation in air in a twin-screw extruder. Evidence of the grafting of MMGD as well as its extent was determined by Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The effects of monomer concentration, reaction temperature and screw run speed on degree of grafting were studied systematically. The thermal behavior of LLDPE-g-MMGD was investigated by using differential scanning calorimety ( DSC). Compared with neat LLDPE, the crystallization temperature ( Tc) of LLDPE-g-MMGD increased about 3 degrees C, and the melting enthalpy (Delta H-m) decreased with increase of MMGD content. It showed that the grafted MMGD monomer onto LLDPE acted as a nucleating agent. The tensile properties and light transmission of blown films were determined. Comparing with neat LLDPE film, no obvious changes could be found for the tensile strength, elongation at break and right angle tearing strength of LLDPE-g-MMGD film. The wettability is expressed by the water contact angle. With an increasing percentage of MMGD, the contact angles of water on film surface of LLDPE- g-MMGD decrease monotonically.

Preparation and properties of a novel nonionic surfactant grafted linear low density polyethylene

A novel nonionic surfactant, glycerol monostearic acid monomaleic acid diester (GMMD) was synthesized in our laboratory. Grafting-copolymerization of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with GMMD was carried out by using P-ray irradiation in a twin-screw extruder. Evidence of the grafting of GMMD, as well as its extent, was determined by FT-IR. The effects of monomer concentration, reaction temperature and screw run speed on degree of grafting were studied systematically. The thermal behavior of LLDPE-g-GMMD was investigated by using differential scanning calorimety (DSC). Compared with neat LLDPE, the crystallization temperature (T,) of LLDPE-g-GMMD increased about 3 degrees C, and the melting enthalpy (Delta H-m) decreased with increase of GMMD content. It showed that the arafted GMMD monomer onto LLDPE acted as a nucleating agent. The tensile properties and light transmission of blown films were determined. Comparing with neat LLDPE film, no obvious changes could be found for the tensile strength, elongation at break and right angle tearing strength of LLDPE-g-GMMD film. Accelerated dripping property of film samples was investigated. The dripping duration of LLDPE-g-GMMD film and commercial anti-fog dripping film at 60 degrees C were 52 days and 17 days, respectively.