Direct observation of charge-carrier heating at WZ-ZB InP nanowire heterojunctions.

We have investigated the dynamics of hot charge carriers in InP nanowire ensembles containing a range of densities of zinc-blende inclusions along the otherwise wurtzite nanowires. From time-dependent photoluminescence spectra, we extract the temperature of the charge carriers as a function of time after nonresonant excitation. We find that charge-carrier temperature initially decreases rapidly with time in accordance with efficient heat transfer to lattice vibrations. However, cooling rates are subsequently slowed and are significantly lower for nanowires containing a higher density of stacking faults. We conclude that the transfer of charges across the type II interface is followed by release of additional energy to the lattice, which raises the phonon bath temperature above equilibrium and impedes the carrier cooling occurring through interaction with such phonons. These results demonstrate that type II heterointerfaces in semiconductor nanowires can sustain a hot charge-carrier distribution over an extended time period. In photovoltaic applications, such heterointerfaces may hence both reduce recombination rates and limit energy losses by allowing hot-carrier harvesting.

Directly and parametrically excited bi-stable vibration energy harvester for broadband operation

Despite many recent advances, the wide-spread adoption of vibrational energy harvesting has been limited by the low levels of generated output power and confined operational frequency band. Recent work by the authors on parametrically excited harvesters has demonstrated over an order of magnitude power improvement. This paper presents an investigation into the simultaneous employment of both direct and parametric resonance, as well as the incorporation of bi-stability, in an attempt to further improve the mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency by broadening the output power spectrum. Multiple direct and parametric resonant peaks from a multi-degree-of-freedom system were observed and an accumulative ∼10 Hz half-power bandwidth was recorded for the first 40 Hz. Real vibration data was also employed to analysis the rms power response effectiveness of the proposed system. © 2013 IEEE.

Consumption of fa cai Nostoc soup: A Potential for BMAA exposure from Nostoc cyanobacteria in China?

Grown in arid regions of western China the cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme - called fa cai in Mandarin and fat choy in Cantonese - is wild-harvested and used to make soup consumed during New Year's celebrations. High prices, up to $125 USD/kg, led to overharvesting in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Degradation of arid ecosystems, desertification, and conflicts between Nostoc harvesters and Mongol herdsman concerned the Chinese environmental authorities, leading to a government ban of Nostoc commerce. This ban stimulated increased marketing of a substitute made from starch. We analysed samples purchased throughout China as well as in Chinese markets in the United States and the United Kingdom. Some were counterfeits consisting of dyed starch noodles. A few samples from California contained Nostoc flagelliforme but were adulterated with starch noodles. Other samples, including those from the United Kingdom, consisted of pure Nostoc flagelliforme. A recent survey of markets in Cheng Du showed no real Nostoc flagelliforme to be marketed. Real and artificial fa cai differ in the presence of beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA). Given its status as a high-priced luxury food, the government ban on collection and marketing, and the replacement of real fa cai with starch substitutes consumed only on special occasions, it is anticipated that dietary exposure to BMAA from fa cai will be reduced in the future in China.

Age and growth of Schizothorax waltoni in the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, China

Age and growth were studied for Schizothorax waltoni in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, southwest of China, from April 2004 to September 2006. A total of 201 specimens were collected ranging from 110 to 580 mm in standard length (SL). In contrast to other otoliths, sectioned lapillus showed a clear pattern of alternating opaque and hyaline zones. Marginal increment analyses showed that the increments, each composed of one opaque and one hyaline zone, are deposited annually. Opaque edges were prevalent from May to August. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters based on sectioned otolith data were L (t) = 689.8{1 - exp[0.051 (t + 3.275)]} for males, and L (t) = 691.1{1 - exp[0.056 (t + 2.466)]} for females. The slow growth and long life indicate that S. waltoni is vulnerable to overfishing and that harvesting strategies for the species should be conservative.

A parametrically excited vibration energy harvester

In the arena of vibration energy harvesting, the key technical challenges continue to be low power density and narrow operational frequency bandwidth. While the convention has relied upon the activation of the fundamental mode of resonance through direct excitation, this article explores a new paradigm through the employment of parametric resonance. Unlike the former, oscillatory amplitude growth is not limited due to linear damping. Therefore, the power output can potentially build up to higher levels. Additionally, it is the onset of non-linearity that eventually limits parametric resonance; hence, this approach can also potentially broaden the operating frequency range. Theoretical prediction and numerical modelling have suggested an order higher in oscillatory amplitude growth. An experimental macro-sized electromagnetic prototype (practical volume of ∼1800 cm3) when driven into parametric resonance, has demonstrated around 50% increase in half power band and an order of magnitude higher peak power density normalised against input acceleration squared (293 μW cm-3 m-2 s4 with 171.5 mW at 0.57 m s-2) in contrast to the same prototype directly driven at fundamental resonance (36.5 μW cm-3 m-2 s4 with 27.75 mW at 0.65 m s-2). This figure suggests promising potentials while comparing with current state-of-the-art macro-sized counterparts, such as Perpetuum's PMG-17 (119 μW cm-3 m-2 s4). © The Author(s) 2013.

ApcD is necessary for efficient energy transfer from phycobilisomes to photosystem I and helps to prevent photoinhibition in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp PCC 7002

Phyrobilisomes (PBS) are the major light-harvesting, protein-pigment complexes in cyanobacteria and red algae. PBS absorb and transfer light energy to photosystem (PS) II as well as PS I, and the distribution of light energy from PBS to the two photosystems is regulated by light conditions through a mechanism known as state transitions. In this study the quantum efficiency of excitation energy transfer from PBS to PS I in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was determined, and the results showed that energy transfer from PBS to PS I is extremely efficient. The results further demonstrated that energy transfer from PBS to PS I occurred directly and that efficient energy transfer was dependent upon the allophycocyanin-B alpha subunit, ApcD. In the absence of ApcD, cells were unable to perform state transitions and were trapped in state 1. Action spectra showed that light energy transfer from PBS to PS I was severely impaired in the absence of ApcD. An apcD mutant grew more slowly than the wild type in light preferentially absorbed by phyrobiliproteins and was more sensitive to high light intensity. On the other hand, a mutant lacking ApcF, which is required for efficient energy transfer from PBS to PS II, showed greater resistance to high light treatment. Therefore, state transitions in cyanobacteria have two roles: (1) they regulate light energy distribution between the two photosystems; and (2) they help to protect cells from the effects of light energy excess at high light intensities. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phycobilisome-Deficient Strains of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Have Reduced Size and Require Carbon-Limiting Conditions to Exhibit Enhanced Productivity.

Reducing excessive light harvesting in photosynthetic organisms may increase biomass yields by limiting photoinhibition and increasing light penetration in dense cultures. The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 harvests light via the phycobilisome, which consists of an allophycocyanin core and six radiating rods, each with three phycocyanin (PC) discs. Via targeted gene disruption and alterations to the promoter region, three mutants with two (pcpcT→C) and one (ΔCpcC1C2:pcpcT→C) PC discs per rod or lacking PC (olive) were generated. Photoinhibition and chlorophyll levels decreased upon phycobilisome reduction, although greater penetration of white light was observed only in the PC-deficient mutant. In all strains cultured at high cell densities, most light was absorbed by the first 2 cm of the culture. Photosynthesis and respiration rates were also reduced in the ΔCpcC1C2:pcpcT→C and olive mutants. Cell size was smaller in the pcpcT→C and olive strains. Growth and biomass accumulation were similar between the wild-type and pcpcT→C under a variety of conditions. Growth and biomass accumulation of the olive mutant were poorer in carbon-saturated cultures but improved in carbon-limited cultures at higher light intensities, as they did in the ΔCpcC1C2:pcpcT→C mutant. This study shows that one PC disc per rod is sufficient for maximal light harvesting and biomass accumulation, except under conditions of high light and carbon limitation, and two or more are sufficient for maximal oxygen evolution. To our knowledge, this study is the first to measure light penetration in bulk cultures of cyanobacteria and offers important insights into photobioreactor design.

STUDIES ON THE PURIFICATION AND RECLAMATION OF WASTE-WATER FROM A MEDIUM-SIZED CITY BY AN INTEGRATED BIOLOGICAL POND SYSTEM

The feasibility of an inexpensive wastewater treatment system is evaluated in this study. An integrated biological pond system was operated for more than 3 years to purify the wastewater from a medium-sized city, Central China. The experiment was conducted in 3 phases with different treatment combinations for testing their purification efficiencies. The pond system was divided into 3 functional regions: influent purification, effluent upgrading and multi-utilization. These regions were further divided into several zones and subzones. Various kinds of aquatic organisms, including macrophytes, algae, microorganisms and zooplankton, were effectively cooperating in the wastewater treatment in this system. The system attained high reductions of BOD5, COD, TSS, TN, TP and other pollutants. The purification efficiencies of this system were higher than those of most traditional oxidation ponds or ordinary macrophyte ponds. The mutagenic effect and numbers of bacteria and viruses declined significantly during the process of purification. After the wastewater flowed through the upgrading zone, the concentrations of pollutants and algae evidently decreased. Plant harvesting did not yield dramatic effects on reductions of the main pollutants, though it did significantly affect the biomass productivity of the macrophytes. The effluent from this system could be utilized in irrigation and aquaculture. Some aquatic products were harvested from this system and some biomass was utilized for food, fertilizer, fodder and some other uses. The wastewater was reclaimed for various purposes.

施肥措施对黄土旱塬区小麦产量和土壤有机碳积累的影响

利用中国科学院长武农田生态试验站的长期田间试验(1984年2~007年),研究了小麦产量,耕层有机碳变化,评价了土壤管理和气候因素对土壤有机碳(Soil organic C,SOC)变化的影响。研究涉及6个处理:休闲地(F);不施肥(CK);有机肥(M);氮肥(N);氮、磷肥(NP)和氮、磷、有机肥(NPM)处理。结果表明,施肥可以显著提高作物产量和SOC积累,CK、M、N、NP、NPM处理平均产量依次为1.5、2.6、2.0、3.3、4.0 t/hm2,2007年F、CK、M、N、NP、NPM处理0—20 cm土层SOC积累量依次为-1.09、0.76、8.59、1.02、3.42和9.5 t/hm2。作物产量与SOC含量呈显著的正相关关系(r=0.80),有机碳输入量与SOC含量相关性更好(r=0.97),外源有机碳的输入也是提高SOC的重要措施。施肥措施对作物固碳和SOC影响存在显著(P<0.05)差异。土壤固碳速率(Y)与SOC输入量(X)符合线性方程Y=0.231X-0.0813(r=0.98)。施肥可以提高黄土高原半干旱地区土壤生产力和SOC的积累,且无机肥和有机肥配施效果最佳。

施肥对黄土旱塬区黑垆土土壤肥力及硝态氮累积的影响

本文以长期定位试验为依托,研究了黄土高原旱塬区黑垆土大田对比试验和长期定位施肥对土壤肥力及硝态氮累积和淋溶的影响。结果表明:长期施用有机肥能够明显增加土壤养分,氮磷和有机肥配施效果显著;和1984年土壤养分状况相比,大田对比试验土壤有机质增加了27.1%,全氮和全磷提高了84.2%和34.8%,有效氮、有效磷和速效钾增加了46.9%、540.0%和10.2%,养分水平与长期定位试验中氮磷配施相近。长期定位试验中氮磷配施或与有机肥配施能够有效地减少土壤剖面中硝酸盐的累积和淋溶,氮肥单施硝态氮累积量最大,为1006.4kg/hm2,大田对比试验土壤硝态氮总累积量较长期定位试验中施用氮肥处理的总累积量少。

现代雨水利用技术研究进展与研发重点

具有工程化、科技化、规模化内涵的现代雨水利用技术是现代节水农业技术的重要研究内容,已成为缓解干旱缺水,实现农业高效用水,降低常规农业用水量的有效措施。在分析现代雨水利用技术研究进展及其发展趋势基础上,指出现代雨水利用技术是传统雨水利用技术与新材料技术、现代生物技术、现代信息技术、现代灌溉工程技术等高新技术相结合的产物,具有多学科相互交叉、各单项技术相互渗透的明显特征。在此基础上,提出了近中期现代雨水利用技术研发的重点,即以重大前沿性技术研究为基础,研发与雨水利用相关的重要关键技术与产品,探索建立适宜的现代雨水高效利用技术体系。

黄土丘陵区免耕条件下两种土壤酶活性变化

为了确定合理环保的耕作制度,2007~2008安塞田间定位试验黄土丘陵旱作农区大豆(Glycine maxL)、玉米(Zea maysL)、红小豆(Semen Phaseoli)、马铃薯(Solanum tuberosumLinn.)在翻耕化肥(CF)、翻耕有机肥(CM)、翻耕无肥(CN)、免耕化肥(NF)、免耕有机肥(NM)、免耕无肥(NN)等水平下的农田土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶活性。结果表明:在作物花期,大豆、玉米土壤脲酶活性较高,蔗糖酶活性较低,而红小豆、马铃薯则与之相反,差异极显著。到作物收获后,玉米土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶活性增高,增幅在83%以上,而马铃薯、红小豆、大豆三种作物土壤脲酶活性降低,降幅在10%以上,蔗糖酶活性增强,增幅在40%以上。从花期到收获后,免耕降低了土壤脲酶活性,提高了土壤蔗糖酶活性,在黄土丘陵沟壑旱作农区两种土壤酶活性表现较优的作物为大豆、玉米,较优的处理为NM玉米、NF大豆,其田间环保效应为:作物生长期间两种酶活性比较高,收获后两种酶活性则降低,有利于提高作物生长期土壤肥效利用率,减少作物收获后温室气体的排放。

黄土高原旱地小麦氮磷钾与有机肥优化配施试验

试验研究了不同施肥处理对小麦产量及肥料、水分利用率的影响。结果表明:氮磷配施对产量的贡献率最高,产量达5 099.8 kg/hm2,增产率达21.5%,较氮、磷肥单施产量分别增产14.0%和18.4%,具有正交互效应;单施有机肥较NM、PM、NPM增产率分别达到6.63%、4.12%、11.3%。化肥配施可显著提高旱地小麦的肥料利用率和水分利用效率,氮磷有机肥配施肥料氮、磷肥的利用率分别较氮、磷肥单施提高1.71和12.55个百分点;氮磷配施可同时提高氮肥、磷肥肥效,此时氮贡献率为15.53%,磷贡献率达12.26%,且水分利用率提高了24.1%,耗水系数降低了17.57%。

有机肥对设施菜地土壤-植物系统氮运移的影响

在设施菜地条件下，研究了不同有机肥施入量在黄瓜生长期对土壤-植物系统NO3--N迁移累积的影响。结果表明，黄瓜生长期土壤-植物系统NO3--N的迁移累积规律受黄瓜生长期、有机肥施用水平和土壤肥力的影响。盛果期，不同肥力土壤各个土层的硝酸盐含量和黄瓜叶片及体内的硝酸盐含量均高于黄瓜的其它生长期；对于不同的施肥水平，当施肥量为60 t hm-2时各个土层的不同肥力土壤硝酸盐含量均高于其它处理，且高肥力土壤条件下黄瓜体内的硝酸盐含量在黄瓜生长旺盛期超过国家安全食品标准(410mgkg-1)，当施肥量低于20 t hm-2时不同肥力土壤各个土层未出现硝酸盐显著累积现象，且在黄瓜生长的各个时期，黄瓜体内的硝酸盐含量均未超标。 土壤硝酸盐的垂直运移过程受有机肥施用水平和土壤肥力的影响，施肥量低于20 t hm-2时不同肥力土壤各土层未出现硝酸盐显著累积现象，当施肥量为60 t hm-2时土壤硝酸盐累积峰值随土壤肥力水平的提高而增加；40-150 cm土壤剖面中硝酸盐累积总量随有机肥施用量的增加而增加；不同肥力土壤在相同有机肥施用水平下40-150 cm土壤硝酸盐累积总量的变化量不同，土壤肥力越高土壤硝酸盐累积总量的绝对增加量越大，说明相同的有机肥处理对高肥力土壤硝酸盐累积影响更大。

长白山阔叶红松林生态系统碳密度对采伐干扰的响应研究

本研究以长白山地区原始和次生的阔叶红松林为对象，在2007和2008年共建立了8种类型10块1 ha样地。通过野外调查和取样分析，得到各样地森林生态系统的植物、枯死物和土壤碳密度值，并结合采伐样地经营历史情况（采伐时间和强度），得到长白山地区原始阔叶红松林生态系统碳密度参考值和次生阔叶红松林生态系统碳密度对采伐强度和植被恢复时间的响应特征。在此基础上，通过建立阔叶红松林乔木碳密度与生态系统碳密度的回归关系，并结合露水河林业局3个时期（1987、1995和2003年）的小班数据和原始林碳密度参考值，估算露水河林业局林业用地3个时期和潜在的碳储量。主要研究结果如下： （1）原始阔叶红松林生态系统碳密度参考值：植被、枯死物、土壤和生态系统碳密度值分别为149.18±54.57、20.93±14.33、156.39±14.99、326.50±34.52 t•ha-1。其中下木层、乔木层碳密度分别是1.55±0.74，147.63±54.39 t•ha-1；粗木质残体和枯枝落叶碳密度分别是15.64±13.66、5.29±1.72 t•ha-1；0-50 cm的各层土壤碳密度分别为62.14±6.31、46.17±10.25、27.82±6.20、12.57±4.67、7.69±2.20 t•ha-1。 （2）原始阔叶红松林生态系统碳密度对采伐干扰的响应特征为：采伐干扰均会减少生态系统碳密度；其中植被碳库对采伐干扰最为敏感且碳密度值均减少，采伐强度直接决定植被碳密度的减少程度和恢复时间；枯死物碳库对采伐干扰最不敏感且碳密度值是先增加后减少，采伐强度和植被恢复时建群树种决定枯死物碳密度的变化程度；土壤碳库对高强度采伐干扰敏感，采伐强度决定土壤碳密度是否发生变化。 （3）估算露水河林业局林业用地在1987、1995、2003年和潜在的森林生态系统碳储量分别为29.58×106 t、27.55×106 t、30.46×106 t和38.75×106 t。