The distribution and variations of atmospheric CO2 from 1981 to 1992 were determined by measuring CO2 mixing ratios in samples collected weekly at a cooperative global air sampling network. The results constitute the most geographically extensive, carefully calibrated, internally consistent CO2 data set available. Analysis of the data reveals that the global CO2 growth rate has declined from a peak of ∼2.5 ppm yr−1 in 1987–1988 to ∼0.6 ppm yr−1 in 1992. In 1992 we find no increase in atmospheric CO2 from 30° to 90°N. Variations in fossil fuel CO2 emissions cannot explain this result. The north pole‐south pole CO2 difference increased from ∼3 ppm during 1981–1987 to ∼4 ppm during 1988–1991. In 1992 the difference was again ∼3 ppm. A two‐dimensional model analysis of the data indicates that the low CO2 growth rate in 1992 is mainly due to an increase in the northern hemisphere CO2 sink from 3.9 Gt C yr−1 in 1991 to 5.0 Gt C yr−1 in 1992. The increase in the north pole‐south pole CO2 difference appears to result from an increase in the southern hemisphere CO2 sink from ∼0.5 to ∼1.5 Gt C yr−1.

Graphene based photo-detecting has received great attentions and the performance of such detector is stretching to both ends of high sensitivity and ultra-fast response. However, limited by the current photo-gating mechanism, the price for achieving ultra-high sensitivity is sacrificing the response time. Detecting weak signal within short response time is crucial especially in applications such as optical positioning, remote sensing, and biomedical imaging. In this work, we bridge the gap between ultra-fast response and ultra-high sensitivity by employing a graphene/SiO 2 /lightly-doped-Si architecture with revolutionary interfacial gating mechanism. Such device is capable to detect < 1 nW signal (with responsivity of ~1000 A W -1 ) and the spectral response extends from visible to near-infrared. More importantly, the photoresponse time of our device has been pushed to ~400 ns. The current device structure does not need complicated fabrication process and is fully compatible with the silicon technology. This work will not only open up a route to graphene-based high performance optoelectronic devices, but also have great potential in ultra-fast weak signal detection.

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BackgroundBehcet’s disease (BD) is a recalcitrant, multisystemic inflammatory disease that can lead to irreversible blindness. Microbial agents have been considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the association of gut microbiome composition with BD as well as its possible roles in the development of this disease.MethodsFecal and saliva samples were collected from 32 active BD patients and 74 healthy controls. DNA extracted from fecal samples was subjected to metagenomic analysis, whereas DNA extracted from saliva samples was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The results were used to compare the composition and biological function of the microbiome between patients and healthy controls. Lastly, transplantation of pooled fecal samples from active BD patients into B10RIII mice undergoing experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) was performed to determine the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and BD.ResultsFecal samples from active BD patients were shown to be enriched in Bilophila spp., a sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and several opportunistic pathogens (e.g., Parabacteroides spp. and Paraprevotella spp.) along with a lower level of butyrate-producing bacteria (BPB) Clostridium spp. and methanogens (Methanoculleus spp. Methanomethylophilus spp.). Analysis of microbial functions revealed that capsular polysaccharide transport system, oxidation-reduction process, type III, and type IV secretion systems were also increased in active BD patients. Network analysis showed that the BD-enriched SRB and opportunistic pathogens were positively correlated with each other, but they were negatively associated with the BPB and methanogens. Animal experiments revealed that fecal microbiota transplantation with feces from BD patients significantly exacerbated EAU activity and increased the production of inflammatory cytokines including IL-17 and IFN-γ.ConclusionsOur findings revealed that BD is associated with considerable gut microbiome changes, which is corroborated by a mouse study of fecal microbiota transplants. A model explaining the association of the gut microbiome composition with BD pathogenesis is proposed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40168-018-0520-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Minhua, "Minimum superlattice thermal conductivity from molecular dynamics" (2005). Departmental Papers (MEAM). 65.