Showing papers by "Ocean University of China published in 2013"
TL;DR: The results show that the current hiatus is part of natural climate variability, tied specifically to a La-Niña-like decadal cooling, and the multi-decadal warming trend is very likely to continue with greenhouse gas increase.
Abstract: Despite the continued increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, the annual-mean global temperature has not risen in the twenty-first century, challenging the prevailing view that anthropogenic forcing causes climate warming. Various mechanisms have been proposed for this hiatus in global warming, but their relative importance has not been quantified, hampering observational estimates of climate sensitivity. Here we show that accounting for recent cooling in the eastern equatorial Pacific reconciles climate simulations and observations. We present a novel method of uncovering mechanisms for global temperature change by prescribing, in addition to radiative forcing, the observed history of sea surface temperature over the central to eastern tropical Pacific in a climate model. Although the surface temperature prescription is limited to only 8.2% of the global surface, our model reproduces the annual-mean global temperature remarkably well with correlation coefficient r = 0.97 for 1970-2012 (which includes the current hiatus and a period of accelerated global warming). Moreover, our simulation captures major seasonal and regional characteristics of the hiatus, including the intensified Walker circulation, the winter cooling in northwestern North America and the prolonged drought in the southern USA. Our results show that the current hiatus is part of natural climate variability, tied specifically to a La-Nina-like decadal cooling. Although similar decadal hiatus events may occur in the future, the multi-decadal warming trend is very likely to continue with greenhouse gas increase.
1,427 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the tectonic characteristics of the South China Continent (SCC) and extracted the universal Tectonic rules from these characteristics, to help enrich the plate-tectonic theory and better understand the continental dynamic system.
Abstract: This paper aims at exploring the tectonic characteristics of the South China Continent (SCC) and extracting the universal tectonic rules from these characteristics,to help enrich the plate tectonic theory and better understand the continental dynamic system. For this purpose, here we conduct a multi-disciplinary investigation and combine it with the previous studies to reassess the tectonics and evolution of SCC and propose that the tectonic framework of the continent comprises two blocks, three types of tectonic units, four deformation systems, and four evolutionary stages with distinctive mechanism and tectonic characteristics since the Neoproterozoic. The four evolutionary stages are: (1) The amalgamation and break-up of the Neoproterozoic plates, typically the intracontinental rifting. (2) The early Paleozoic and Mesozoic intracontinental orogeny confined by plate tectonics, forming two composite tectonic domains. (3) The parallel operation of the Yangtze cratonization and intracontinental orogeny, and multi-phase reactivation of the Yangtze craton. (4) The association and differentiation evolution of plate tectonics and intracontinental tectonics, and the dynamic characteristics under the Meso-Cenozoic modern global plate tectonic regime.
401 citations
TL;DR: In this article, Nitrogen loss, retention and bioavailability in biochar-amended soils fertilized with NH 4 + -N and NO 3 − -N were studied using leaching and pot experiments.
379 citations
TL;DR: The El Nino/Southern Oscillation exhibits considerable natural variability on interdecadal to centennial timescales making it difficult to understand how climate change affects it as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The El Nino/Southern Oscillation exhibits considerable natural variability on interdecadal to centennial timescales making it difficult to understand how climate change affects it. A reconstruction now shows there has been anomalously high activity in the late twentieth century, relative to the past seven centuries. This is suggestive of a response to global warming, and will provide constraints to improve climate models and projections.
360 citations
TL;DR: Sorption of sulfonamides on biochars is poorly understood, thus sulfamethoxazole (SMX) sorption was determined as a function of pH and SMX concentration, as well as the inorganic fractions in the biochar.
333 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that low-temperatures may be optimal for producing biochar from giant reed to improve the nutrient availability and reduce the loss of N and P with increasing temperatures.
303 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis of climate model simulations shows that warm regions are projected to become wetter in annual mean, whereas seasonally high rainfall anomalies are expected in regions that are currently wet.
Abstract: The response of tropical precipitation to global warming varies spatially and the factors controlling the spatial patterns of precipitation changes are unclear. An analysis of climate model simulations shows that warm regions are projected to become wetter in annual mean, whereas seasonally high rainfall anomalies are expected in regions that are currently wet.
295 citations
TL;DR: This work uses the Unity3D game engine to develop and prototype a biological network and molecular visualization application for subsequent use in research or education and considers this work as a proof of principle demonstrating that the functionalities of classical viewers and more advanced novel features could be implemented in substantially less time and with less development effort.
Abstract: The video games industry develops ever more advanced technologies to improve rendering, image quality, ergonomics and user experience of their creations providing very simple to use tools to design new games. In the molecular sciences, only a small number of experts with specialized know-how are able to design interactive visualization applications, typically static computer programs that cannot easily be modified. Are there lessons to be learned from video games? Could their technology help us explore new molecular graphics ideas and render graphics developments accessible to non-specialists? This approach points to an extension of open computer programs, not only providing access to the source code, but also delivering an easily modifiable and extensible scientific research tool. In this work, we will explore these questions using the Unity3D game engine to develop and prototype a biological network and molecular visualization application for subsequent use in research or education. We have compared several routines to represent spheres and links between them, using either built-in Unity3D features or our own implementation. These developments resulted in a stand-alone viewer capable of displaying molecular structures, surfaces, animated electrostatic field lines and biological networks with powerful, artistic and illustrative rendering methods. We consider this work as a proof of principle demonstrating that the functionalities of classical viewers and more advanced novel features could be implemented in substantially less time and with less development effort. Our prototype is easily modifiable and extensible and may serve others as starting point and platform for their developments. A webserver example, standalone versions for MacOS X, Linux and Windows, source code, screen shots, videos and documentation are available at the address: http://unitymol.sourceforge.net/.
274 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the PJIO mode is indeed highly predictable; a characteristic that can enable benefits to society.
Abstract: Summer climate in the Northwestern Pacific (NWP) displays large year-to-year variability, affecting densely populated Southeast and East Asia by impacting precipitation, temperature, and tropical cyclones. The Pacific–Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern provides a crucial link of high predictability from the tropics to East Asia. Using coupled climate model experiments, we show that the PJ pattern is the atmospheric manifestation of an air–sea coupled mode spanning the Indo-NWP warm pool. The PJ pattern forces the Indian Ocean (IO) via a westward propagating atmospheric Rossby wave. In response, IO sea surface temperature feeds back and reinforces the PJ pattern via a tropospheric Kelvin wave. Ocean coupling increases both the amplitude and temporal persistence of the PJ pattern. Cross-correlation of ocean–atmospheric anomalies confirms the coupled nature of this PJIO mode. The ocean–atmosphere feedback explains why the last echoes of El Nino–Southern Oscillation are found in the IO-NWP in the form of the PJIO mode. We demonstrate that the PJIO mode is indeed highly predictable; a characteristic that can enable benefits to society.
236 citations
TL;DR: The findings provide evidence that ciliates generally have much higher rDNA copy numbers than other protists and fungi, which could lead to overestimation of the relative abundance of cilia in environmental samples when rDNA sequence-based methodologies are used and that the rDNA might not always evolve in a strictly concerted manner in ciliate species, which may raise problems in rDNA-based inference of species richness and phylogeny.
211 citations
TL;DR: The results indicated CS/CMCS-NPs were highly efficient and safe as an oral delivery system for DOX and were able to enhance absorption of DOX throughout the entire small intestine.
TL;DR: It has been demonstrated that inhibition of NLRP3 could largely protect from memory loss and decrease Aβ deposition in AD transgenic mouse model, and several downstream effects in the brain are reviewed, demonstrating that toxic Aβ peptide can light a fire inNLRP3 inflammasome and eventually induce AD pathology and tissue damage.
Abstract: Innate immunity and inflammatory response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As the major resident immune cells in the brain, microglial cells constantly survey the microenvironment and are activated by and recruited to senile plaques. Subsequently, they can phagocytose amyloid-β (Aβ) and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines that influence the surrounding brain tissue. Recently, a wealth of information linking the microglia-specific activation of NLRP3 inflammasome to AD pathogenesis has emerged. We review here the activation mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia and several downstream effects in the brain, demonstrating that toxic Aβ peptide can light a fire in NLRP3 inflammasome and eventually induce AD pathology and tissue damage. More importantly, it has been demonstrated that inhibition of NLRP3 could largely protect from memory loss and decrease Aβ deposition in AD transgenic mouse model. So, we further discuss the recent advances and challenges in targeting NLRP3 inflammasome for AD therapy.
TL;DR: The extreme sensitivity of pyrosequencing using rare species spiked into plankton samples is demonstrated and it is proposed that the method is a powerful tool for detection of rare native and/or alien species.
Abstract: Concerns regarding the rapid loss of endemic biodiversity, and introduction and spread of non-indigenous species, have focused attention on the need and ability to detect species present in communities at low abundance. However, detection of rare species poses immense technical challenges, especially for morphologically cryptic species, microscopic taxa and those beneath the water surface in aquatic ecosystems. Next-generation sequencing technology provides a robust tool to assess biodiversity, especially for detection of rare species. Here, we assess the sensitivity of 454 pyrosequencing for detection of rare species using known indicator species spiked into existing complex plankton samples. In addition, we develop universal small subunit ribosomal DNA primers for amplification of a wide range of taxa for detailed description of biodiversity in complex communities. A universality test of newly designed primers for the hypervariable V4 region of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (V4-nSSU) using a plankton sample collected from Hamilton Harbor showed that 454 pyrosequencing based on this universal primer pair can recover a wide range of taxa, including animals, plants (algae), fungi, blue-green algae and protists. A sensitivity test showed that 454 pyrosequencing based on newly designed universal V4-nSSU primers was extremely sensitive for detection of very rare species. Pyrosequencing was able to recover spiked indicator species with biomass percentage as low as approximately 2 center dot 3x10-5% when 24 artificially assembled samples were tagged and sequenced in one PicoTiter plate (i.e. sequencing depth of an equivalent of 1/24 PicoTiter plate). In addition, spiked rare species were sometimes recovered as singletons (i.e. Operational Taxonomic Units represented by a single sequence), suggesting that at least some singletons are informative for recovering unique lineages in rare biospheres'. The method established here allows biologists to better investigate the composition of aquatic communities, especially for detection of rare taxa. Despite a small-scale pyrosequencing effort, we demonstrate the extreme sensitivity of pyrosequencing using rare species spiked into plankton samples. We propose that the method is a powerful tool for detection of rare native and/or alien species.
TL;DR: In this article, a review suggests that in response to greenhouse warming, mean conditions of the Indian Ocean will shift toward a positive dipole state, but with no overall shift in the frequency of positive and negative events as defined relative to the mean climate state.
Abstract: The Indian Ocean Dipole is a key mode of interannual climate variability influencing much of Asia and Australia. A Review suggests that in response to greenhouse warming, mean conditions of the Indian Ocean will shift toward a positive dipole state, but with no overall shift in the frequency of positive and negative events as defined relative to the mean climate state.
TL;DR: The results indicated that promoting biofloc through carbohydrate addition in zero-water exchange systems could enhance immune cellular response and antioxidant status of cultured shrimp under the conditions of the present study.
TL;DR: Zircon dating results reveal that the magmatic precursors of the supracrustal metapelites and granitoid gneisses were generated at 2.54-2.53-Ga and 2.57−2.55-Ga, respectively.
01 Dec 2013
TL;DR: In this article, the Pacific-Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern provides a crucial link of high predictability from the tropics to East Asia using coupled climate model experiments, and the PJ pattern is the atmospheric manifestation of an air-sea coupled mode spanning the Indo-NWP warm pool.
Abstract: Summer climate in the Northwestern Pacific (NWP) displays large year-to-year variability, affecting densely populated Southeast and East Asia by impacting precipitation, temperature, and tropical cyclones. The Pacific–Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern provides a crucial link of high predictability from the tropics to East Asia. Using coupled climate model experiments, we show that the PJ pattern is the atmospheric manifestation of an air–sea coupled mode spanning the Indo-NWP warm pool. The PJ pattern forces the Indian Ocean (IO) via a westward propagating atmospheric Rossby wave. In response, IO sea surface temperature feeds back and reinforces the PJ pattern via a tropospheric Kelvin wave. Ocean coupling increases both the amplitude and temporal persistence of the PJ pattern. Cross-correlation of ocean–atmospheric anomalies confirms the coupled nature of this PJIO mode. The ocean–atmosphere feedback explains why the last echoes of El Nino–Southern Oscillation are found in the IO-NWP in the form of the PJIO mode. We demonstrate that the PJIO mode is indeed highly predictable; a characteristic that can enable benefits to society.
TL;DR: Eugenol, the major constituent of clove extract, exhibited QS inhibitory activity and was identified as a novel QS inhibitor in herbal extracts by effective screening systems and evaluated its biological activity.
Abstract: In bacteria, quorum sensing (QS) is a process of chemical communication involving the production, release, and subsequent detection of signaling molecules. QS regulates the production of key virulence factors in pathogens. During the screening of herbal extracts, clove extract was found to inhibit QS-controlled gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa QSIS-lasI and Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 biosensors. Using a bioautographic TLC assay, preparative TLC, and HPLC analysis, eugenol, the major constituent of clove extract, exhibited QS inhibitory activity. Eugenol at sub-inhibitory concentrations inhibited the production of virulence factors, including violacein, elastase, pyocyanin, and biofilm formation. Using two Escherichia coli biosensors, MG4/pKDT17 and pEAL08-2, we confirmed that eugenol inhibited the las and pqs QS systems. Our data identified eugenol as a novel QS inhibitor. The purpose of this study was to track the quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI) in herbal extracts by effective screening systems and evaluate its biological activity. The QSIs from herbal extracts are potential agents for the treatment of bacterial infections.
TL;DR: The evidence linking many nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns to AD, including adherence to a healthy diet, the Japanese diet, and the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of AD.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for the major cause of dementia, and the increasing worldwide prevalence of AD is a major public health concern. Increasing epidemiological studies suggest that diet and nutrition might be important modifiable risk factors for AD. Dietary supplementation of antioxidants, B vitamins, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids are beneficial to AD, and consumptions of fish, fruits, vegetables, coffee, and light-to-moderate alcohol reduce the risk of AD. However, many of the results from randomized controlled trials are contradictory to that of epidemiological studies. Dietary patterns summarizing an overall diet are gaining momentum in recent years. Adherence to a healthy diet, the Japanese diet, and the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of AD. This paper will focus on the evidence linking many nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns to AD.
TL;DR: Results showed that Antarctic krill chitin corresponded to the α-polymorph, and was composed of small, stable, and uniform microcrystals.
TL;DR: The bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) gene, also known as amphiphysin 2, has recently been identified as the most important risk locus for late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), after apolipoprotein E (APOE).
TL;DR: It is indicated that DOM is of importance for antibacterial activity of NPs, and more attention should be paid to the effect of DOM when assessing the environmental risk of N Ps.
TL;DR: Current findings regarding ncRNA research in human and mouse models are reviewed to provide a strong basis for future study aiming at promising contributions of nc RNA in AD.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and the most common dementia among the elderly. Accumulating research indicates that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are increasingly being implicated in AD. MiRNAs are conserved small ncRNAs that control gene expression post-transcriptionally while lncRNAs function in many ways. Recent profiling research in human or mouse models suggests that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in AD, and these have been implicated in the regulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, tau, inflammation, cell death, and other aspects which are the main pathomechanisms of AD. In addition, regulation of miRNAs varies in blood, and cerebral spinal fluid may indicate alterations in AD. Together with brain-specific miRNAs, these miRNAs could be potential AD biomarkers. All the above may provide the basis for new approaches for AD. Here, we review current findings regarding ncRNA research in human and mouse models to provide a strong basis for future study aiming at promising contributions of ncRNA in AD.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the climate responses induced by greenhouse gases and aerosols share key ocean-atmosphere feedbacks, leading to a qualitative resemblance in spatial distribution.
Abstract: Anthropogenic aerosols are highly spatially variable, whereas greenhouse gases are largely well-mixed at the global scale, but both affect climate. Nevertheless, climate simulations suggest that regional changes in sea surface temperature and precipitation to changes in greenhouse gas and aerosol forcings are similar. Spatial variations in ocean warming have been linked to regional changes in tropical cyclones1, precipitation2,3 and monsoons4. But development of reliable regional climate projections for climate change mitigation and adaptation remains challenging5. The presence of anthropogenic aerosols, which are highly variable in space and time, is thought to induce spatial patterns of climate response that are distinct from those of well-mixed greenhouse gases4,6,7,8,9. Using CMIP5 climate simulations that consider aerosols and greenhouse gases separately, we show that regional responses to changes in greenhouse gases and aerosols are similar over the ocean, as reflected in similar spatial patterns of ocean temperature and precipitation. This similarity suggests that the climate response to radiative changes is relatively insensitive to the spatial distribution of these changes. Although anthropogenic aerosols are largely confined to the Northern Hemisphere, simulations that include aerosol forcing predict decreases in temperature and westerly wind speed that reach the pristine Southern Hemisphere oceans. Over land, the climate response to aerosol forcing is more localized, but larger scale spatial patterns are also evident. We suggest that the climate responses induced by greenhouse gases and aerosols share key ocean–atmosphere feedbacks, leading to a qualitative resemblance in spatial distribution.
TL;DR: Shell@core-nanostructured TiO(2)@ZnO n-p-n heterojunction nanorods with diameter of 30 nm were successfully fabricated via a hydrothermal method and are suggested to be very promising for enhancing the photoc atalytic activity of photocatalysts.
Abstract: Shell@core-nanostructured TiO2@ZnO n–p–n heterojunction nanorods with diameter of 30 nm were successfully fabricated via a hydrothermal method. The photodegradation rate of the TiO2@ZnO n–p–n nanorods evaluated by photodegrading methyl orange has been demonstrated to increase three times compared to that of wurtzite hexagonal ZnO. Anatase TiO2 and Ti2O3 grow along ZnO crystal lattices, which forms p-type Zn2+ doped Ti2O3 in the interface of TiO2/ZnO and therefore numerous n–p–n heterojunctions owing to the substitution of Ti3+ by Zn2+. Under the drive of inner electric field, the photogenerated electrons are both injected to the conduction band of Zn2+ doped Ti2O3 from conduction bands of ZnO and TiO2, which efficiently enhances the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and accelerates the transport of charges. The results suggest that TiO2@ZnO n–p–n heterojunction nanorods are very promising for enhancing the photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts.
TL;DR: Adding giant reed biochars could reduce N(2)O evolution from agricultural soil, thus possibly mitigating global warming, and the mechanism is still unknown.
TL;DR: In this paper, granular activated carbon (GAC) was used as a catalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade azo dye Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous solution.
TL;DR: The effect of salinity on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of activated sludge was investigated in an anoxic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and the contents of loosely bound EPS and tightly bound EPS were positively correlated with the salinity.
TL;DR: In this article, double-layered PANi consisting of a nanoparticle layer and a nanofiber layer was formed by an electrodeposition route, given significantly increased active sites and solar cell performances.
Abstract: Counter electrodes from polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANi) nanostructures were fabricated by chemical and electrochemical approaches for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. It was found that double-layered PANi consisting of a nanoparticle layer and a nanofiber layer was formed by an electrodeposition route, given significantly increased active sites and solar cell performances. The solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the double-layered PANi-based DSSC was 6.58% under 100 mW cm−2 (AM 1.5), which was much higher than those of PPy and chemically deposited PANi or Pt-based DSSCs. The enhancement in the conversion efficiency was due to the design of double-layered nanostructures, which resulted in an increased charge transfer kinetics and higher electrocatalytic activity for the I−/I3− redox reaction.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate that the local convection-wind-evaporation-SST (CWES) feedback relying on both mean flows and mean precipitation is key in maintaining the WNP Subtropical High (WNPSH), while the remote forcing from the development of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation is secondary.
Abstract: [1] The western North Pacific (WNP) Subtropical High (WNPSH) is a controlling system for East Asian Summer monsoon and tropical storm activities, whereas what maintains the anomalous summertime WNPSH has been a long-standing riddle. Here we demonstrate that the local convection-wind-evaporation-SST (CWES) feedback relying on both mean flows and mean precipitation is key in maintaining the WNPSH, while the remote forcing from the development of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation is secondary. Strikingly, the majority of strong WNPSH cases exhibit anomalous intensification in late summer (August), which is dominantly determined by the seasonal march of the mean state. That is, enhanced mean precipitation associated with strong WNP monsoon trough in late summer makes atmospheric response much more sensitive to local SST forcing than early summer.