马达加斯加印象

在印度洋的西南洋面上,坐落着世界第四大岛屿—一马达加斯加岛.马达加斯加隔莫桑比克海峡与非洲大陆相望,是非洲第一大岛,国土面积59万平方公里,从南到北约1800公里.独特的气候、地理环境和与众不同的民族习惯,构成了这个岛国奇特的人文景观. 马达加斯加是古老的大陆,一亿多年前,它从冈瓦纳吉陆中分离出来,一直孤悬在印度洋中,这是一片遗世独立的伊甸园.据说6500万年前,一颗小行星撞击了地球的墨西哥尤卡坦半岛,大爆炸导致恐龙灭绝,整个世界陷入一片火海.     

Efficient Transmission of an Introduced Pathogen Via an Ancient Insect-Fungus Association

 In Cupressus sempervirens the association between seed insects and tree pathogens has resulted in optimal exploitation of the cones. A fungus-infected cone can be inhabited by the nymphs of a true seed bug (Orsillus maculatus), the adults of which may carry a heavy spore load at emergence. Cones are infected when eggs are laid within the cone, most frequently via the emergence holes of a seed wasp (Megastigmus wachtli). This symbiotic association evolved with the nonaggressive fungus Pestalotiopsis funerea within the natural range of the cypress. When the aggressive cypress canker disease (Seiridium cardinale) was introduced into Europe, it was transmitted by O. maculatus to cones usually colonized by Pestalotiopsis funerea, with disastrous consequences for the regeneration and survival of C. sempervirens in the entire Mediterranean area. Received: 30 November 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 17 May 1999     

从奥运冠军到环保"健将"——访第29届奥林匹克运动会组委会奥运村部副部长邓亚萍女士

不久前,奥运冠军,现北京奥组委奥运村部副部长邓亚萍女士参加了由“中国环境意识项目”组织的“奥运环保公益广告系列片”的拍摄工作。作为“中国环境意识项目”的合作方,我刊就此机会对邓亚萍女士进行了独家采访。采访过程中,我们看到了一位与曾经叱咤乒坛、履战履胜的奥运冠军完全不同的邓亚萍。她的一言一行都透露出成功领导人士的素质和才干以及深厚的环境底蕴和对环保的爱心。以下是访谈的实录,希望能给读者带来启迪。     

Application of an alkaline protease in leather processing: an ecofriendly approach

Proteolytic enzyme isolated from Aspergillus tamarii prepared by solid state fermentation was studied for dehairing of goat skins in the tannery. The stability of the enzyme for dehairing was optimized at different environmental parameters. Unhairing of goat skins could be obtained at pH 9–11 and temperatures 30–37°C with enzyme concentration of 1% w/v and incubation periods of 18–24 h. The physical properties of the experimental leathers in comparison with the control sets gave better results with respect to tensile strength and elongation at break.