Functional analysis of differentially expressed proteins in Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) fruits during ripening.

This study developed a proteome reference map of Myrica rubra fruits at the green, pink and red stages during ripening using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Forty-six differentially expressed proteins were detected in the gel, of which 43 were successfully identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and protein database searching. We found that malic enzyme related to the decrease of organic acid acidity was up-regulated. The high abundance of pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase may contribute to fruit peculiar fragrant characteristics. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chalcone synthase 11, UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase, and anthocyanidin synthase, enzymes involved in the anthocyanin metabolic pathway, were all up-regulated. The physiological data agree with fruit proteome results. These findings provided insights into the metabolic processes and regulatory mechanisms during Chinese bayberry fruit ripening.

Change in ocean subsurface environment to suppress tropical cyclone intensification under global warming.

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are hazardous natural disasters. Because TC intensification is significantly controlled by atmosphere and ocean environments, changes in these environments may cause changes in TC intensity. Changes in surface and subsurface ocean conditions can both influence a TC's intensification. Regarding global warming, minimal exploration of the subsurface ocean has been undertaken. Here we investigate future subsurface ocean environment changes projected by 22 state-of-the-art climate models and suggest a suppressive effect of subsurface oceans on the intensification of future TCs. Under global warming, the subsurface vertical temperature profile can be sharpened in important TC regions, which may contribute to a stronger ocean coupling (cooling) effect during the intensification of future TCs. Regarding a TC, future subsurface ocean environments may be more suppressive than the existing subsurface ocean environments. This suppressive effect is not spatially uniform and may be weak in certain local areas.

[Determination of trace gold by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after separation and preconcentration with load nanometer titanium dioxide].

A new method for the determination of trace gold by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after preconcentration with p-dimethylaminobenzylidenerhodanine (DMABR) loaded with nanometer TiO2 was developed. The method is convenient, highly precise and linear in a wide range. Under dynamic condition, the optimum pH of solution, flow rate, elution conditions were obtained for preconcentration of trace gold. And the effect of interfering ions was also investigated. It was found that the studied gold could be quantitatively preconcentrated on loaded nanometer TiO2 at pH = 3.5, and the flow rate of sample solution was 0.6 mL x min(-1), and the flow rate of eluting solution with 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCl-0.5 mol x L(-1) thiourea was 0.5 mL x min(-1), sufficient for complete elution. The dynamic adsorption capacity of gold on load nanometer TiO2 was 23.19 mg x g(-1). The linear range for gold was 0-0.40 microg x mL(-1), correlation coefficient was 0. 999 3, detection limit (3sigma, n = 11) for gold was 2.34 ng x mL(-1), and the relative standard deviation was 2.9% (n = 6, c = 0.10 microg x mL(-1)), the recovery was in the range of 96.7%-101.7%. The method has been applied to the determination of trace gold in water samples with satisfactory results.