Development and use of parasitoids (Hymenoptera : Aphidiidae & Aphelinidae) for biological control of aphids in China

A review of aphid parasitoids in China with special emphasis on their production, utilization, and conservation is presented with a brief history of Chinese biological control. Twenty genera, 99 species of Aphidiidae and two genera, 11 species of Aphelinidae were recorded in China. Each parasitoid is listed with a brief description of aphids, host plants, areas of study such as taxonomy, biology, bionomics, geographic distribution, rearing, and literature citations. Achievements, status, and problems in aphid parasitoid production, utilization, conservation, and future prospects are detailed for dominant aphid parasitoids such as Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead, A. ervi Haliday and Aphelinus mali Haldeman. Finally, opportunities and challenges of commercialization commercialization of natural enemies, especially aphid parasitoids, in China, are analyzed and discussed.

Active dendrites: Adaptation to spike-based communication

Computational analyses of dendritic computations often assume stationary inputs to neurons, ignoring the pulsatile nature of spike-based communication between neurons and the moment-to-moment fluctuations caused by such spiking inputs. Conversely, circuit computations with spiking neurons are usually formalized without regard to the rich nonlinear nature of dendritic processing. Here we address the computational challenge faced by neurons that compute and represent analogue quantities but communicate with digital spikes, and show that reliable computation of even purely linear functions of inputs can require the interplay of strongly nonlinear subunits within the postsynaptic dendritic tree.Our theory predicts a matching of dendritic nonlinearities and synaptic weight distributions to the joint statistics of presynaptic inputs. This approach suggests normative roles for some puzzling forms of nonlinear dendritic dynamics and plasticity.

Award Winner in the Young Investigator Category, 2014 Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting and Exposition, Denver, Colorado, April 16-19, 2014: Periodically perforated core-shell collagen biomaterials balance cell infiltration, bioactivity, and mechanical properties.

Orthopedic tissue engineering requires biomaterials with robust mechanics as well as adequate porosity and permeability to support cell motility, proliferation, and new extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. While collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds have been developed for a range of tissue engineering applications, they exhibit poor mechanical properties. Building on previous work in our lab that described composite CG biomaterials containing a porous scaffold core and nonporous CG membrane shell inspired by mechanically efficient core-shell composites in nature, this study explores an approach to improve cellular infiltration and metabolic health within these core-shell composites. We use indentation analyses to demonstrate that CG membranes, while less permeable than porous CG scaffolds, show similar permeability to dense materials such as small intestine submucosa (SIS). We also describe a simple method to fabricate CG membranes with organized arrays of microscale perforations. We demonstrate that perforated membranes support improved tenocyte migration into CG scaffolds, and that migration is enhanced by platelet-derived growth factor BB-mediated chemotaxis. CG core-shell composites fabricated with perforated membranes display scaffold-membrane integration with significantly improved tensile properties compared to scaffolds without membrane shells. Finally, we show that perforated membrane-scaffold composites support sustained tenocyte metabolic activity as well as improved cell infiltration and reduced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α compared to composites with nonperforated membranes. These results will guide the design of improved biomaterials for tendon repair that are mechanically competent while also supporting infiltration of exogenous cells and other extrinsic mediators of wound healing.

The search for the IFN-gamma receptor in fish: Functional and expression analysis of putative binding and signalling chains in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Interferons (IFNs), consisting of three major subfamilies, type I, type II (gamma) and type III (lambda) IFN, activate vertebrate antiviral defences once bound to their receptors. The three IFN subfamilies bind to different receptors, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 for type I IFNs, IFN gamma R1 and IFN gamma R2 for type II IFN, and IL-28R1 and IL-10R2 for type III IFNs. In fish, although many types I and II IFN genes have been cloned, little is known about their receptors. In this report, two putative IFN-gamma receptor chains were identified and sequenced in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and found to have many common characteristics with mammalian type II IFN receptor family members. The presented gene synteny analysis, phylogenetic tree analysis and ligand binding analysis all suggest that these molecules are the authentic IFN gamma Rs in fish. They are widely expressed in tissues, with IFN gamma R1 typically more highly expressed than IFN gamma R2. Using the trout RTG-2 cell line it was possible to show that the individual chains could be differentially modulated, with rIFN-gamma and rIL-1 beta down regulating IFN gamma R1 expression but up regulating IFN gamma R2 expression. Overexpression of the two receptor chains in RTG-2 cells revealed that the level of IFN gamma R2 transcript was crucial for responsiveness to rIFN-gamma, in terms of inducing gamma IP expression. Transfection experiments showed that the two putative receptors specifically bound to rIFN-gamma. These findings are discussed in the context of how the IFN gamma R may bind IFN-gamma in fish and the importance of the individual receptor chains to signal transduction. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The optimization of high performance liquid chromatographic method for analysis of trace microcystins in natural water bodies

The ratio of methanol., water and trifluoroacetic acid ( TFA) was regulated to change the polarity and the pH of the rinse solution and the eluent, so as to improve the high performance liquid chromatography HPLC) detection method for trace microcystines (MCs) in natural water bodies. The results showed that 40 % similar to 45 % methanol-water solution containing 0. 1 % TFA could get good effects on the rinse of impurity, and 70% methanol-water solution containing 0. 1% TFA could elute all the MCs in solid phase extraction ( SPE) cartridge ( C-18), In this way. it is suggested that, in analysis of environmental samples with high concentration of impurity, impurity should be washed with 40% similar to 45% methanol-water solution containing 0. 1% TFA, and MCs should be eluted with 70% similar to 100% methanol-water solution containing 0. 1% TFA.

First report of the cyanotoxins cylindrospermopsin and deoxycylindrospermopsin from Raphidiopsis curvata (Cyantobacteria)

A strain of Raphidiopsis (Cyanobacteria) isolated from a fish pond in Wuhan, P. R. China was examined for its taxonomy and production of the alkaloidal hepatotoxins cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and deoxy-cylindrospermopsin (deoxy-CYN). Strain HB1 was identified as R. curvata Fritsch et Rich based on morphological examination of the laboratory culture. HB1 produced mainly deoxy-CYN at a concentration of 1.3 mg(.)g(-1) (dry ut cells) by HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS. CYN was also detected in trace amounts (0.56 mug(.)g(-1)). A mouse bioassay did not show lethal toxicity when tested at doses up to 1500 mg dry weight cells(.)kg(-1) body weight within 96 h, demonstrating that production of primarily deoxy CYN does not lead to significant mouse toxicity by strain BB I. The presence of deoxy-CYN and CYN in R curvata suggests that Raphidiopsis belongs to the Nostocaceae, but this requires confirmation by molecular systematic studies. Production of these cyanotoxins by Raphidiopsis adds another genus, in addition to Cylindrospemopsis, Aphanizomenon, and Umezakia, now known to produce this group of hepatotoxic cyanotoxins. This is also the first report from China of a CYN and deoxy-CYN producing cyanobacterium.

InAs/GaSb superlattices for photodetection in short wavelength infrared range

The first report of a short wavelength infrared detector based on type II InAs/GaSb superlattices is presented. Very short period superlattices containing InAs (2ML)/GaSb (8ML) superlattices (SLs) were grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on GaSb substrates. The photoluminescence showed a cut-off wavelength at 2.1 mu m at 10 K and 2.6 mu m at 300 K. Room-temperature optical transmittance spectra shows obvious absorption in InAs (2ML)/GaSb (8ML) SL in the range of 450-680 meV, i.e. 1.8-2.7 mu m. The cut-off wavelength moved from 2.3 mu m to 2.6 mu m with temperature rising from 77 K to 300 K in photoresponse spectra. The blackbody response R-v exponentially decreased as a function of 1/T in two temperature sections (130-200 K and 230-300 K). The blackbody detectivity D-bb(center dot) was beyond 1 x 10(8) cmHz(1/2)/W at room temperature. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SHORT PERIOD InAs/GaSb SUPERLATTICE INFRARED DETECTOR ON GaAs SUBSTRATES

Two type II superlattices (SLs) InAs(2ML)/GaSb(8ML) and InAs(8ML)/GaSb(8ML) were grown on GaAs substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy. High resolution X-ray diffraction showed the periods of the two SLs were 31.2 angstrom and 57.3 angstrom, respectively. Room-temperature optical transmittance spectra showed that there were clear absorption edges at 2.1 mu m and 5 mu m for the two SLs. The SWIR and MWIR photoconductor devices were fabricated by standard lithography and etched by tartaric acid solution. The spectral response and blackbody tests were carried out at low and room temperatues. The results show that the 50% cutoff wavelengths of the two photoconductors are 2.1 mu m and 5.0 mu m respectively and D-bb* is above 2 x 10(8) cmHz(1/2)/W for two kinds of photoconductors at 77K. D-bb* is above 10(8) cmHz(1/2)/W for SWIR photoconductor at room temperature.

An investigation on the pressure-induced phase transition of nanocrystalline ZnS

An in situ energy dispersive x-ray diffraction study on nanocrystalline ZnS was carried out under high pressure up to 30.8 GPa by using a diamond anvil cell. The phase transition from the wurtzite to the zinc-blende structure occurred at 11.5 GPa, and another obvious transition to a new phase with rock-salt structure also appeared at 16.0 GPa-which was higher than the value for the bulk material. The bulk modulus and the pressure derivative of nanocrystalline ZnS were derived by fitting the Birch-Murnaghan equation. The resulting modulus was higher than that of the corresponding bulk material, indicating that the nanomaterial has higher hardness than the bulk material.

Pressure-induced phase transition of nanocrystalline zinc sulfide

In situ energy dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements on nanocrystalline zinc sulfide have been performed by using diamond anvil cell with synchrotron radiation. There is a phase transition which the ultimate structure is rocksalt when the pressure is up to 16.0GPa. Comparing the structure of body materials, the pressure of the phase transition of nano zinc sulfide is high. We fit the: Birch-Murnaghan equation of state and obtained its ambient pressure bulk modulus and its pressure derivative. The bulk modulus of nanocrystalline zinc sulfide is higher than that of body materials, it indicate that the rigidity of nanocrystalline zinc sulfide is high.

Effects of residual C and O impurities on photoluminescence in undoped GaN epilayers

Photoluminescence (PL) was investigated in undoped GaN from 4.8 K to room temperature. The 4.8 K spectra exhibited recombinations of free exciton, donor-acceptor pair (DAP), blue and yellow bands (Ybs). The blue band (BB) was also identified to be a DAP recombination. The YB was assigned to a recombination from deep levels. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that C and O are the main residual impurities in undoped GaN and that C concentration is lower in the epilayers with the stronger BB. The electronic structures of native defects, C and O impurities, and their complexes were calculated using ab initio local-density-functional (LDF) methods with linear muffin-tin-orbital and 72-atomic supercell. The theoretical analyses suggest that the electron transitions from O-N states to C-N and to V-Ga states are responsible for DAP and the BB, respectively, and the electron transitions between the inner levels of the C-N-O-N complex may be responsible for the YB in our samples. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

InxGa1-xAs/AlyGa1-yAs/AlzGa1-zAs asymmetric step quantum-well middle wavelength infrared detectors

InxGa1-xAs/AlyGa1-yAs/AlzGa1-zAs asymmetric step quantum-well middle wavelength (3-5 mum) infrared detectors are fabricated. The components display photovoltaic-type photocurrent response as well as the bias-controlled modulation of the peak wavelength of the main response, which is ascribed to the Stark shifts of the intersubband transitions from the local ground states to the extended first excited states in the quantum wells, at the 3-5.3 mum infrared atmospheric transmission window. The blackbody detectivity (D-bb*) of the detectors reaches to about 1.0x10(10) cm Hz(1/2)/W at 77 K under bias of +/-7 V. By expanding the electron wave function in terms of normalized plane wave basis within the framework of the effective-mass envelope-function theory, the linear Stark effects of the intersubband transitions between the ground and first excited states in the asymmetric step well are calculated. The obtained results agree well with the corresponding experimental measurements. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Disentangling mechanical and mass effects on nanomechanical resonators

Micro and nanomechanical resonators are powerful and label-free sensors of analytes in various environments. Their response, however, is a convolution of mass, rigidity, and nanoscale heterogeneity of adsorbates. Here we demonstrate a procedure to disentangle this complex sensor response, to simultaneously measure both mass and elastic properties of nanometer thick samples. This turns an apparent disadvantage of these resonators into a striking and unique asset, enabling them to measure more than mass alone.

Au(111)自组装膜表面原子力显微镜纳米刻蚀

在Au(111)硫醇自组装膜上通过原子力显微镜（AFM）纳米刻蚀加工了各种功能化纳米结构。本论文取得的主要成果如下： 1. “蘸笔”技术移除自组装膜及金基底 以烯丙基溴为墨水，用蘸笔技术在16－巯基十六羧酸（MHA）修饰的Au(111)基底上可以实现对金基底的直接加工，形成阴刻图案；并提出了详细的加工机理。 2. Au(111)自组膜表面的可逆加工 （1）利用乙醇修饰的导电AFM针尖通过电致刻蚀在Au(111)基底的烷基硫醇自组装膜上实现了阴阳刻图案的可逆加工。X射线光电子能谱分析表明阳刻图案的化学组成为氧化金，且此氧化金可被乙醇还原生成金得到阴刻图案。此阴刻图案可用作纳米模板，我们利用此模板加工了氧化铁磁性纳米结构和溶菌酶蛋白质纳米结构。 （2）用修饰硫醇的导电AFM针尖在Au(111)基底上实现了硫醇的可逆书写。 3. Au(111)自组膜表面官能团转化 用硫醇自组装膜修饰的Pt针在Au(111)基底的烷基硫醇自组装膜上实现了表面端基官能团转化。所得亲水性纳米图案可用作物理（如直接吸附纳米粒子）和化学纳米模板（如诱导硅烷自组装）。加工过程中基底自组装膜保持完整，未破坏Au-S键。 4. AFM研究适配子与血小板衍生生长因子－BB的相互作用 利用AFM电致刻蚀在HS-(CH2)12-(OCH2CH2)4-OH（EG4）/Au(111)上选择性移除EG4，在新暴露的金基底上生长血小板衍生生长因子－BB（PDGF-BB）适配子与EG4的混合自组装膜，通过PDGF-BB适配子与 PDGF-BB的特异性键合固定PDGF-BB，得到PDGF-BB的纳米图案。

高性能树脂环状预聚体和含官能团芳香环状低聚物的合成与表征

芳香环状低聚物的合成是应现代航天、航空、电子、机械等高技术领域对先进复合材料的需求而在八十年代末期发展起来的研究领域，其特有的结构和性能决定了芳香环状低聚物的广泛应用前景。芳香环状低聚物不仅在开环聚合制备先进树脂基复合材料方面具有重要的应用价值，而且在其侧链上引入各种官能团，开展其在功能材料方面的研究也具有十分重要的意义。本文以开拓这类新型芳香大环化合物的应用为目的，“假高稀”条件下，合成了22种新型结构的芳香大环化合物，并对它们进行了精确的结构表征。本文从开环聚合制备高性能树脂的思想出发，以6氟双酚A为单体合成了一系列的含氟聚芳醚环状预聚体，环状低聚物的产率达到74%，并在1 wt%的联苯二酚钾的引发下，进行快速地熔融开环聚合，得到了重均分子量约为6万，分子量分布约为2.6的线性含氟聚芳醚；本文设计了酮亚胺路线合成得到了聚醚醚酮(PEEK)环状预聚体。开创了由AA，BB型单体一步法合成PEEK环状中间体的新方法，这种合成方法具有反应时间短，所得环状低聚物的环尺寸较小，环张力较大，易于进行开环聚合的特点。PEEK环状预聚体成功地进行了阴离子开环聚合得到高分子量的线性聚合物，这一新方法的开拓将把PEEK在先进复合材料领域的实际应用向前推进一步。建立了一套先进的分析芳香环状低聚物的方法，结合质谱、核磁、GPC、单晶X．射线衍射和DSC等手段表征了各种环状低聚物并揭示了环状低聚物的组成。本文着重研究了激光质谱(MALDI-TOF MS)和电喷雾质谱(ESI MS)在芳香环状低聚物分析中的应用，特别在基质的选择上，经对比研究表明1,8,9-葸三酚是分析芳香环状低聚物的最为有效的基质，并已广泛地应用在我们的研究工作中，同时还发现了一种适用于芳香环状聚酯分析的新型基质，α-氰基-4-羟基肉桂酸。用软硬酸碱理论解释了芳香环状低聚物与不同阳离子的亲合选择性。本文首次运用电喷雾质谱来分析芳香环状低聚物，证明电喷雾质谱与激光质谱有明显的互补性，是继激光质谱之后新发现的表征芳香大环化合物的有效手段，特别适用于含极性基团的芳香大环化合物的表征，进一步完善了芳香大环化合物的表征体系。自从美国G.E.公司利用环状聚碳酸酯的开环聚合制备线性聚碳酸酯以来，大多数芳香环状低聚物的开环聚合是经阴离子途径进行的，聚合后部分引发剂的端基残存于聚合产物中，常用的阴离子引发剂含有无机盐和酚氧碱金属离子，这些基团的存在将对聚合物的加工和性能带来一定的影响，因而探索其它的开环聚合途径具有重要意义。本文在“假高稀”条件下，高选择性地合成CSA、CSK和CSS三种含硫醚键的芳香环状低聚物，通过四圆衍射首次对含硫醚键芳香环状二聚体的晶体结构进行了研究，结果表明这些含硫醚键的芳香环状低聚物为缺乏环张力的大环。自由基聚合反应是重要的聚合方法之一，本文通过CSA和CSK环状低聚物的开环聚合深入、细致地研究了通过硫醚交换反应进行的自由基开环聚合，并利用顺磁共振波谱证实了其自由基开环聚合的性质。本文合成了一系列含溴、硝基、羧基及磺酸钠基团的芳香环状低聚物，以期开拓非开环聚合用的芳香大环化合物的研究领域。另外在芳香环状聚醚的合成新方法上做出了创新性的工作，首次通过界面缩聚方法高产率地合成了含硝基的芳香环状聚醚砜，并对芳香大环化合物的化学反应，修饰改性及功能化研究进行了探索。