Infrared–red cores in nearby elliptical galaxies

We present the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera observations for a sample of local elliptical galaxies to study later stages of active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity. A sample of 36 elliptical galaxies is selected from the Palomar spectroscopic survey. We detect nuclear non-stellar infrared emission in nine of them. There is unambiguous evidence of circumnuclear dust in these nine galaxies in their optical images. We also find a remarkable correlation between the infrared excess emission and the nuclear radio/X-ray emission, suggesting that infrared excess emission is tightly related to nuclear activity. The possible origin of infrared excess emission from hot dust heated by the central AGN is supported by the spectral indices of the infrared excess emission.     

Daily extreme precipitation indices and their impacts on rice yield—A case study over the tropical island in China

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Frequent occurrences of extreme precipitation events have significant impacts on agricultural production. Tropical agriculture has been playing an important...     

Mapping Submerged Aquatic Vegetation with GIS in the Caloosahatchee Estuary: Evaluation of Different Interpolation Methods

This article evaluates different spatial interpolation methods for mapping submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida. Data used for interpolation were collected by the Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Early Warning System (SAVEWS). The system consists of hydro-acoustic equipment, which operates from a slow-moving boat and records bottom depth, seagrass height, and seagrass density. This information is coupled with geographic location coordinates from a Global Positioning System (GPS) and stored together in digital files, representing SAV status at points along transect lines. Adequate spatial interpolation is needed to present the SAV information, including density, height, and water depth, as spatially continuous data for mapping and for comparison between seasons and years. Interpolation methods examined in this study include ordinary kriging with five different semivariance models combined with a variable number of neighboring points, the inverse distance weighted (IDW) method with different parameters, and the triangulated irregular network (TIN) method with linear and quintic options. Interpolation results were compared with survey data at selected calibration transects to examine the suitability of different interpolation methods. Suitability was quantified by the determination coefficient (R2) and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) between interpolated and observed values. The most suitable interpolation method was identified as the one yielding the highest R2 value and/or the lowest RMSE value. For different geographic conditions, seasons, and SAV parameters, different interpolation methods were recommended. This study identified that kriging was more suitable than the IDW or TIN method for spatial interpolation of all SAV parameters measured. It also suggested that transect data with irregular spatial distribution patterns such as SAV parameters are sensitive to interpolation methods. An inappropriate interpolation method such as TIN can lead to erroneous spatial representation of the SAV status. With a functional geographic system and adequate computing power, the evaluation and selection of interpolation methods can be automated and quantitative, leading to a more efficient and accurate decision.     

新生大鼠海马神经元体外分散培养技术研究

在实验室建立了分散的新生大鼠海马神经细胞体外培养模型。该模型属原代培养,在体外能直接观察神经元的生长发育。研究表明：该模型稳定性好,差异性小;培养神经细胞可存活１个月以上,１４ｄ左右细胞生长最为丰满,且四周晕光明显,神经突起多而粗大,分枝互成网络;１４ｄ以后生长减缓。由于在此模型培养的条件下,既不存在血脑屏障问题,又容易控制条件,便于在细胞和分子水平上深入研究神经细胞的形态学、生理学、生化代谢及药理学等方面的问题,特别适合在体外进行神经药理学的研究。     

Carboniferous integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Carboniferous period lasted about 60 Myr, from ～358.9 Ma to ～298.9 Ma. According to the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the Carboniferous System is subdivided into two subsystems, i.e., Mississippian and Pennsylvanian, including 6 series and 7 stages. The Global Stratotype Sections and Points(GSSPs) of three stages have been ratified, the Tournaisian, Visean, and Bashkirian stages. The GSSPs of the remaining four stages(i.e., the Serpukhovian, Moscovian,Kasimovian, and Gzhelian) have not been ratified so far. This paper outlines Carboniferous stratigraphic subdivision and correlation on the basis of detailed biostratigraphy mainly from South China, and summarizes the Carboniferous chronostratigraphic framework of China. High-resolution biostratigraphic study reveals 37 conodont zones, 24 foraminiferal(including fusulinid) zones, 13 ammonoid zones, 10 brachiopod zones, and 10 rugose coral zones in the Carboniferous of China. The biostratigraphic framework based on these biozones warrants the precise correlation of regional stratigraphy of China(including2 subsystems, 4 series, and 8 stages) to that of the other regions globally. Meanwhile, the Carboniferous chemo-, sequence-,cyclo-, and event-stratigraphy of China have been intensively studied and can also be correlated worldwide. Future studies on the Carboniferous in China should focus on(1) the correlation between shallow-and deep-water facies and between marine and continental facies,(2) high-resolution astronomical cyclostratigraphy, and(3) paleoenvironment and paleoclimate analysis based on geochemical proxies such as strontium and oxygen isotopes, as well as stomatal indices of fossil plants.     

富硫型水库沉积物AVS和SEM空间分布特征及重金属风险评价

随着湖库外源性污染的有效控制,沉积物污染特征成为影响湖库水环境质量的关键因素。本文以富硫型水库——汤河水库为研究对象,分析探讨水库沉积物的理化性质、重金属总量、酸可挥发性硫化物(acid volatile sulfide,AVS)和同步提取重金属(simultaneously extracted metals,SEM)的空间分布特征,采用沉积物基准法(sediment quality guidelines, SQGs)和AVS与SEM关系法对重金属可能诱发的生态风险和毒性效应进行评估。结果表明:汤河水库沉积物中AVS含量在0.03~51.75 μmol/g之间,并呈现坝前深水区>东支流库区>西支流库区的空间分布特征。根据Pearson相关性分析可知,汤河水库沉积物AVS含量与间隙水中SO₄^2-浓度、沉积物烧失量(LOI)含量呈显著正相关,与沉积物间隙水中NO₃^-浓度和沉积物pH呈现显著负相关。间隙水中SO₄^2-浓度和沉积物LOI含量是控制AVS产量的重要因素。水库沉积物中ΣSEM变化范围为0.52~2.75 μmol/g,呈现出东支流库区>坝前深水区>西支流库区的分布规律。水库沉积物中ΣSEM/AVS和ΣSEM-AVS的变化范围分别为0.06~22.73和-49.18~2.44 μmol/g,显示出水库坝前深水区表层0~10 cm沉积物不具有生态风险,而东、西支流库区沉积物中的SEM因为不能完全被AVS所固定而存在潜在生态风险。就单一重金属而言,汤河水库坝前深水区和东西支流中部区域沉积物Ni、Cu、Pb和Zn含量均介于临界效应含量(threshold effects level, TEL)值和可能效应含量(probable effect level, PEL)值之间,可产生低级风险毒性效应,但Ni的毒性效应风险接近中级,今后应予以重点关注。富硫型水库沉积物中容易出现高含量AVS,沉积物间隙水中SO₄^2-和NO₃^-的浓度是决定沉积物AVS净产量的重要因素。流域内重金属土壤背景值以及工业、采矿产业排放的废水类型直接影响着诱发生态风险的重金属种类。     

桂西地区二叠系合山组铝土岩的沉积环境*

桂西地区二叠系合山组铝土岩的沉积环境存在海相、陆相之争。通过对桂西二叠系铝土岩的区域调查及钻孔样品微量元素地球化学数据的分析,认为桂西二叠系铝土岩产出于陆相环境。从铝土岩分布情况看,桂西二叠纪各孤立碳酸盐岩台地上均广泛分布铝土岩沉积,该区域产出特征证明矿层是在碳酸盐岩台地全部暴露地表的环境下形成的。从铝土岩层与下伏茅口组灰岩的接触关系来看,铝土岩层底部存在茅口组灰岩砾石,在部分剖面尚见下伏茅口组灰岩中充填铝土岩等现象,说明铝土岩矿化过程直接于茅口组灰岩的古喀斯特面上完成。此外,在矿层中发现古植物根茎化石也是铝土岩形成于陆相环境的有力证据。从微量元素地球化学结果来看,来自铝土岩层样品的硼含量均小于10×10^-6,Sr/Ba值范围为0.29~1.61,平均值为0.92,Rb/K值范围为0.0011~0.0025,平均值为0.0017,以上指标结合V/Zr-Zr/Cu图解的判别,结果均指示铝土岩形成于陆相淡水环境。     

How Does Tropical Cyclone Size Affect the Onset Timing of Secondary Eyewall Formation?

By using idealized numerical simulations, the impact of tropical cyclone size on secondary eyewall formation (SEF) is examined. Both unbalanced boundary layer and balanced processes are examined to reveal the underlying mechanism. The results show that a tropical cyclone (TC) with a larger initial size favors a quicker SEF and a larger outer eyewall. For a TC with a larger initial size, it will lead to a stronger surface entropy flux, and thus more active outer convection. Meanwhile, a greater inertial stability helps the conversion from diabatic heating to kinetic energy. Furthermore, the progressively broadening of the tangential wind field will induce significant boundary layer imbalances. This unbalanced boundary layer process results in a supergradient wind zone that acts as an important mechanism for triggering and maintaining deep convection. In short, different behaviors of balanced and unbalanced processes associated with the initial wind profile lead to different development rates of the secondary eyewall.