Effects of tour boats on dolphin activity examined with sensitivity analysis of Markov chains

In Patagonia, Argentina, watching dolphins, especially dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), is a new tourist activity. Feeding time decreases and time to return to feeding after feeding is abandoned and time it takes a group of dolphins to feed increase in the presence of boats. Such effects on feeding behavior may exert energetic costs on dolphins and thus reduce an individual's survival and reproductive capacity or maybe associated with shifts in distribution. We sought to predict which behavioral changes modify the activity pattern of dolphins the most. We modeled behavioral sequences of dusky dolphins with Markov chains. We calculated transition probabilities from one activity to another and arranged them in a stochastic matrix model. The proportion of time dolphins dedicated to a given activity (activity budget) and the time it took a dolphin to resume that activity after it had been abandoned (recurrence time) were calculated. We used a sensitivity analysis of Markov chains to calculate the sensitivity of the time budget and the activity-resumption time to changes in behavioral transition probabilities. Feeding-time budget was most sensitive to changes in the probability of dolphins switching from traveling to feeding behavior and of maintaining feeding behavior. Thus, an increase in these probabilities would be associated with the largest reduction in the time dedicated to feeding. A reduction in the probability of changing from traveling to feeding would also be associated with the largest increases in the time it takes dolphins to resume feeding. To approach dolphins when they are traveling would not affect behavior less because presence of the boat may keep dolphins from returning to feeding. Our results may help operators of dolphin-watching vessels minimize negative effects on dolphins.     

黑胸散白蚁纤维素酶的体外酶学特性

采用DNS法研究了我国广泛分布的一种低等木食性白蚁——黑胸散白蚁纤维素酶的体外酶活特性以了解其纤维素降解机制.结果表明,内切β-1,4-葡聚糖酶(EG)、纤维二糖水解酶(CBH)和β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)这3种酶的最佳反应时间均为15 min,最佳底物浓度为1%,最适反应pH为5.6,最适反应温度为35℃.在最适反应条件下,EG、CBH和BG的活性分别达到71.3(±13.9)U/mg、5.8(±0.8)U/mg和4.1(±0.7)U/mg.EG在体外的热稳定性较差,在50℃及更高温度酶活很低或完全失活,但该酶对pH稳定性较好,在pH 3.2～8.0范围内酶活力变化不大.Native-PAGE电泳检测到该白蚁体内至少有8种不同的EG活性条带,肠道不同部位纤维素酶活性条带种类不同.这些研究表明,木食性白蚁降解纤维素是一个复杂的过程,需要多种纤维素酶的共同作用.     

用改进的TRAP法测定树木端粒酶活性

TRAP法是一种常用的测定端粒酶活性的方法,但并不太适合测定木本植物的端粒酶活性.因此以油松针叶为实验材料,对TRAP法进行改进.参照前人的研究通过对比实验证明,在端粒酶提取过程中将PEG8000加入上清液,可获得高效的端粒酶.在此基础上,对PCR先导引选择TS、模板浓度选择100 ng,最终获得油松针叶高质量的端粒酶PCR产物.应用SYBR Green I替代银染液对电泳凝胶进行染色,获得条带清晰、重复性好的电泳结果.通过对油松针叶、银杏叶片、胡杨愈伤组织、沙冬青悬浮细胞等4种木本植物实验材料进行测定,证明该改进的技术体系可能是适合于木本植物端粒酶活性测定的稳定的、灵敏度高的可行方法.图5表1参17     

荧光抗辐射菌的构建及其稳定性

将构建的抗辐射菌属-大肠杆菌间的泛用穿梭表达载体pZTGL2导入抗辐射菌Deinococcus grandis,进行了荧光标识抗辐射菌的构建及其在没有抗生素的非选择性培养基中继代培养后的稳定性分析.结果表明,导入泛用穿梭表达载体pZTGL2后的D.grandis具有荧光活性,荧光标识的D.grandis在没有抗生素的培养基中经14 d继代培养后的最佳培养温度及其生长状况等生物学特性与未标识的D.grandis没有明显差异.进一步对荧光标识D.grandis在非选择性培养基中经14 d继代培养后的稳定性进行了调查,结果表明:荧光标识的D.grandis在没有抗生素的培养基中经过14 d的继代培养后的荧光活性与没有经过继代培养的荧光标识的D.grandis无显著差异,而且也没有改变荧光标识的D.grandis对γ-射线的抗性.由以上结果认为:成功构建了荧光标识的抗辐射菌D.grandis,荧光标识的D.grandis在非选择培养基中继代培养后仍能表现出良好的结构稳定性.图4表1参18     

Origin of hydrogen sulfide in coal seams in China

In recent years, coal mines in China have seen accidents caused by sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), with higher severity. Based on recent local and overseas research on the origin of hydrogen sulfide and the comparative analysis of isotopes, the paper presents three formation models of hydrogen sulfide: bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR), thermo-chemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and igneous activity, as well as the characteristics for identification. This paper analyzes and categorizes the formation models of some hydrogen sulfide in coal seams in China. Some suggestions were put forward for future research of H₂S in coal mines in China.     

Peregrine falcon egg pollutants

The role of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) as a bioindicator for the accumulation of organohalogen compounds and other persistent organic pollutants has been established in field studies. Biometric indices for damage caused by pollutants such as the shell thickness and the shell index were determined and the egg contents were analyzed for various pollutants by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A wide range of chemically activated luciferase expression (CALUX®) bioassays were performed on subsamples of the eggs.

The following organohalogen compounds were found in the eggs of 2009: dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane, polychlorobiphenyls and polychlorodibenzodioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans, polybromodiphenyl ethers, hexabromocyclododecane, tetrabromobisphenyl A, perfluoro compounds, and mercury. The DDT metabolite, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE) (11,800 ng/g dry matter), was found to be the most highly concentrated egg contaminant followed by 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (3800 ng/g). After a past general drop in pollution level, most egg contaminants presently plateau at levels that may still exceed limit values in foods of animal origin (DDE) or even toxicological thresholds (polychlorobiphenyls + polychlorodibenzodioxins, polybromodiphenyl ethers, perfluorooctanesulfonate, methylmercury).

Accumulation of DDE could be shown in peregrine falcon eggs from the uplands of Southwest Germany with elevations up to 1500 m, presumably due to its global distribution and its cold condensation in higher altitudes. In contrast, the concentration of polychlorobiphenyls in falcon eggs decreases with elevation, indicating that these pollutants originate mainly from conurbations and local industrial sites.

Significant negative correlations were found between both shell index and thickness and the concentration of Hg. A deleterious effect is also evident from a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 120 ng MeHg per gram egg determined by other authors in chronic feeding studies with ibises, which resulted in decreased egg productivity and male homosexual nesting and courtship behavior. The average Hg concentration in the peregrine falcon eggs from 2009 is almost four times higher than this level. MeHg accounted for 82.5% of the Hg present in the eggs of 2009 and 2010.

The cell test DR CALUX® for screening of dioxin-like activities can be used to detect not only the 29 regulated dioxin-like substances but also many other persistent organic pollutants with dioxin-like potencies, such as mixed halogenated dioxins/biphenyls. In our case, the results of bioanalytical screening methods showed no additional effect of other compounds with dioxin-like activity.

Ninety-three out of 177 analytes sought could be detected in the eggs. Chlorinated paraffins, organotin compounds, some pesticides that are still in use, and phthalic esters with the exception of traces of diethylhexyl phthalate could be excluded. All pollutants found in the eggs belong to substance classes banned by the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions.     

非寄主植物乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的驱避与触杀活性

为了评估非寄主植物次生物质对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫的驱避与触杀活性,本文用乙醇浸提了11种在华南地区分布广泛的植物获得其乙醇提取物。分析了这11种植物乙醇提取物对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫的驱避作用,采用药膜法测定了其对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫的触杀作用。结果表明,10 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下,花椒（Zanthoxylum bungeanum）和小茴香（Foeniculum vulgare）提取物对褐飞虱若虫有显著地拒避作用,24 h的拒避率分别为53.3%和43.3%;塞楝（Khaya senegalensis）、胜红蓟（Ageratum conyzoides）、桉树（Eucalyptus exsetrta）和毛麻楝（Chukrasia tabularis）提取物对褐飞虱若虫有显著地引诱作用,24 h着落率分别为75.0%、73.3%、73.3%和71.7%。花椒和小茴香提取物对褐飞虱若虫的拒避作用随着质量浓度的上升而增加,在10~40 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下均对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫有显著地拒避活性,40 mg·mL-1时拒避作用最明显,24 h拒避率分别为66.7%和60.0%。塞楝、胜红蓟、桉树和毛麻楝提取物对褐飞虱若虫的引诱作用均随着质量浓度的上升先增加后降低。塞楝和毛麻楝乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的拒避与引诱活性因其质量浓度的不同而有差异,当质量浓度小时（10 mg·mL1）对褐飞虱若虫有显著地引诱作用;当质量浓度大时（40 mg·mL1）对褐飞虱若虫有显著地拒避作用,24 h后,拒避率分别为50.0%和40.0%。胜红蓟乙醇提取物在5和10 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下对褐飞虱若虫具有显著地引诱作用,24 h后,着落率分别为71.7%和73.3%;桉树乙醇提取物在10和20 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下对褐飞虱若虫具有显著地引诱作用,24 h后,着落率分别为73.3%和71.7%。辣椒（Capsicum annuum）、小茴香、花椒、胜红蓟和鬼针草（Bidens pilosa）乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的触杀活性效果显著,在95.69μg·cm-2的剂量下,24 h校正死亡率达到85%以上,LD50值依次为15.46,25.66,33.61,33.57和37.85μg·cm-2。塞楝和蟛蜞菊（Wedelia chinensis）提取物对褐飞虱若虫也具有较好地触杀活性,在95.69μg·cm-2的剂量下,24 h校正死亡率达到50%以上。研究所选11种不同科属非寄主植物的乙醇提取物在一定质量浓度下,对褐飞虱均会产生不同程度的拒避作用。其中辣椒、小茴香、花椒、胜红蓟和鬼针草5种植物乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的触杀效果明显。辣椒、小茴香、花椒属于经济作物,本研究表明,这3种作物还具有开发为生物农药的价值。胜红蓟和鬼针草在华南地区分布广泛,易采集,植物资源丰富,具有开发成植物源杀虫剂的巨大潜力。     

1-取代-2-氨基苯并咪唑化合物毒性和热力学性质的密度泛函理论研究

用密度泛函理论(DFT)B3LYP方法,在6-31G(d)基组水平上,对8个1-取代-2-氨基苯并咪唑化合物分子进行了全优化计算,得到其轨道能(ENHOMO、ENLUMO以及二者轨道能隙ΔE2)、原子电荷(Q)等量子化学参数,以及热能校正值Eth、恒容热容Cv、熵S等热力学性质,并计算了8种1-取代-2-氨基苯并咪唑化合物分子的电性拓扑状态指数Em。通过最佳变量子集回归建立这些化合物毒性的QSAR模型,以及热力学性质的QSPR模型。模型的相关系数R2和采用逐一剔除法得到的交叉验证相关系数R2cv均大于0.84和0.72,利用2个模型得到毒性的预测值与实验值的误差分别为0.11和0.20,3个热力学性质预测模型的误差分别为3.89%、4.03%和2.64%,吻合度较好,经检验证明所建模型具有良好的鲁棒性和预测能力。研究工作揭示了基团对毒性大小影响的变化规律、有利于对苯并咪唑类化合物在生态环境中的危害性进行评价,可为研发高效、低毒的苯并咪唑类新型药物提供理论依据。     

ZnO纳米颗粒对SBR活性污泥活性的影响

建立了模拟的SBR反应器,并研究了ZnO纳米颗粒(ZnO-NPs)对SBR活性污泥活性的影响.结果表明低浓度(10mg/L)ZnO-NPs对活性污泥活性无明显抑制作用.较高浓度下,ZnO-NPs对活性污泥沉降性能?呼吸速率?EPS和SMP产量及其组成?有机物降解效率等具有明显影响.20,50,100mg/L ZnO-NPs使COD去除率分别降低8.1%, 19.5%和27.7%,使污泥沉降性能分别降低24.2%,35.0%和36.0%,使MLVSS/MLSS比值分别降低8.0%,14.7%和21%,使活性污泥呼吸速率抑制率达到54.0%, 79.0%和80.3%;使EPS产量分别降低29.0%,49.9%和65.4%,使SMP产量分别升高48.9%,102.6%和203.0%.研究表明,较高浓度ZnO-NPs能够抑制污泥代谢,降低活性污泥生物量,显著抑制活性污泥活性.     

碳氟碳氢表面活性剂表面活性及灭火性能

对全氟辛基磺酰基季铵碘化物(FC-203)和十二烷基苯磺酸纳(SDBS)混合溶液的表面张力、起泡能力及其灭火性能进行了试验研究.结果表明,FC-203与SDBS复配对于提高溶液的表面活性具有明显的协同效应,混合溶液只有在同时具备低表面张力和较强起泡能力条件下才表现出较好的灭火性能.对于浓度为5 mmol/L的混合溶液,当FC-203与SDBS的物质的量比为1∶2时,其灭火时间可降低至6.9 s.研究结果对于碳氟碳氢表面活性剂在灭火剂中的应用具有一定的意义.