Characterization of maspardin, responsible for human Mast syndrome, in an insect species and analysis of its evolution in metazoans

Mast syndrome is a complicated form of human hereditary spastic paraplegias, caused by a mutation in the gene acid cluster protein 33, which encodes a protein designated as “maspardin.” Maspardin presents similarity to the α/β-hydrolase superfamily, but might lack enzymatic activity and rather be involved in protein–protein interactions. Association with the vesicles of the endosomal network also suggested that maspardin may be involved in the sorting and/or trafficking of molecules in the endosomal pathway, a crucial process for maintenance of neuron health. Despite a high conservation in living organisms, studies of maspardin in other animal species than mammals were lacking. In the cotton armyworm Spodoptera littoralis, an insect pest model, analysis of an expressed sequence tag collection from antenna, the olfactory organ, has allowed identifying a maspardin homolog (SlMasp). We have investigated SlMasp tissue distribution and temporal expression by PCR and in situ hybridization techniques. Noteworthy, we found that maspardin was highly expressed in antennae and associated with the structures specialized in odorant detection. We have, in addition, identified maspardin sequences in numerous “nonmammalian” species and described here their phylogenetic analysis in the context of metazoan diversity. We observed a strong conservation of maspardin in metazoans, with surprisingly two independent losses of this gene in two relatively distant ecdysozoan taxa that include major model organisms, i.e., dipterans and nematodes.     

Novel Co-Mg-Al-Ti-O catalyst derived from hydrotalcite-like compound for NO storage/decomposition

Catalysts of Co_1.5Mg_1.5/Al_0.9Ti_0.1O and Co_1.5Mg_1.5/AlO were successfully prepared by calcinations of corresponding hydrotalcite-like compounds at 800℃ for 4 hr. The derived oxides were of spinel phase and a small quantity of Ti substitution did not change the crystal purity. Their catalytic performance for the NO storage/decomposition was investigated. Ti incorporation enhanced the NO decomposition activity while has an opposite effect on the storage capacity of catalyst. In situ FT-IR spectra of the catalysts showed that the final adsorption species on the catalysts was coordinated nitrates/nitrites. In addition, NO storage/decomposition mechanism has been discussed on the basis of these observations.     

藻类对有机污染物生物吸附的研究进展

随着工业的迅猛发展,越来越多的有毒有机污染物被排放到环境中,进而引起一系列环境问题。大量研究表明,生物吸附已经成为去除有毒有机污染物的重要方法,而藻类作为一种理想的生物吸附剂,具有良好的吸附和降解有机污染物的能力。概述了藻类对染料、酚类、多环芳烃三种具有代表性的有毒有机污染物的生物吸附。     

Air pollution characteristics and their relationship with emissions and meteorology in the Yangtze River Delta region during 2014–2016

With rapid economic growth and urbanization, the Yangtze River Delta(YRD) region in China has experienced serious air pollution challenges. In this study, we analyzed the air pollution characteristics and their relationship with emissions and meteorology in the YRD region during 2014–2016. In recent years, the concentrations of all air pollutants, except O_3,decreased. Spatially, the PM_(2.5), PM_(10), SO_2, and CO concentrations were higher in the northern YRD region, and NO_2 and O_3 were higher in the central YRD region. Based on the number of non-attainment days(i.e., days with air quality index greater than 100), PM_(2.5) was the largest contributor to air pollution in the YRD region, followed by O_3, PM_(10), and NO_2.However, particulate matter pollution has declined gradually, while O_3 pollution worsened.Meteorological conditions mainly influenced day-to-day variations in pollutant concentrations. PM_(2.5) concentration was inversely related to wind speed, while O_3 concentration was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity.The air quality improvement in recent years was mainly attributed to emission reductions.During 2014–2016, PM_(2.5), PM_(10), SO_2, NO_x, CO, NH_3, and volatile organic compound(VOC)emissions in the YRD region were reduced by 26.3%, 29.2%, 32.4%, 8.1%, 15.9%, 4.5%, and0.3%, respectively. Regional transport also contributed to the air pollution. During regional haze periods, pollutants from North China and East China aggravated the pollution in the YRD region. Our findings suggest that emission reduction and regional joint prevention and control helped to improve the air quality in the YRD region.     

论人口——经济系统的综合研究

研究人口——经济系统,首先从人口系统着手,并分别对各子系统进行分析和综合。对人口系统的研究着重于控制数量、强调人口素质,尤其是要求人口文化素质对科学技术转化生产力能够起到保证作用,其最终目的是促进社会经济的发展。     

Modelling future soil chemistry at a highly polluted forest site at Istebna in Southern Poland using the "SAFE" model

The multi-layer dynamic model SAFE was applied to the forested catchment Istebna (Southern Poland), to study recovery from acidification. Environmental pollution in the area has been historically high. The model uses data from an intensive monitoring plot established in 1999 in a spruce stand, which was planted in 1880. Observations showed that the soil was depleted of base cations. The measured base saturation in 1999 was between 5 and 8% in the different soil layers. Model predictions assuming full implementation of the UNECE 1999 Gothenburg Protocol and present day base cation deposition show that the base saturation will slowly increase to 20% by 2100. Despite large emission reductions, Istebna still suffers from the very high loads of acidifying input during the past decades. Soil recovery depends on future emissions especially on base cation deposition. The recovery will be even slower if the base cation deposition decreases further.     

Ammonium removal from waste solutions by precipitation of MgNH4PO4 I. Ammonium removal with use of commercial reagents

The method of ammonium ion removal from industrial waste solutions was investigated and parameters for MgNH₄PO₄ precipitation were determined. A solution laden with NH₄⁺ ions was brought to pH 1–2 by the use of H₃PO₄; MgO was then added and the pH adjusted to 9–10 with the use of NaOH solution. Stirring of the suspension was carried out during a prolonged period of time ( 3 hours), with final filtration or sedimentation. By this method the ammonium ion content in the filtrate may be reduced to concentrations below 1 mg/l. The MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O sediment produced is considered to be a long-term fertilizer, suitable for agricultural use.     

芳烃联合装置地下管线测漏处理过程的风险分析

运用预先危险性分析法(PHA),对芳烃联合装置地下管线测漏处理过程中存在的风险进行了分析,确定了应采取的安全措施,取得了明显效果.     

中国自然灾害和减灾的对策

2006年5月9日防灾科技学院揭牌暨建校30周年庆典之际,马宗晋院士应邀为我校师生作了题为“中国自然灾害和减灾的对策”的学术报告,受到全校师生的热烈欢迎和一致好评。马宗晋院士是我国著名的地质学家,曾担任中国地震局地质研究所所长（现为中国地震局地质研究所名誉所长）,长期从事地质构造、地震预报、地球动力学方面的研究工作,完成了多项国家级重大研究课题。1972年,他率领地震小组,首创渐进式预报模式,提出长中短临渐近蕴震模式,成为中国预报强震的主要思想和工作程序,该模式的预报思想一直影响至今。其间,对海城、松潘等大地震的预测,乃至对唐山大地震的中期估计和短期预报分析都有重要影响,该模式在国际上被誉为“中国式地震预报”;他还提出了地球动力学的模式构想,建立了三个全球的构造系统,论证了地球变动的韵律性和非对称性,从而提出以壳、幔、核细分层角差运动为基础的地球自转与热、重、流联合的动力模式构想,对全球构造动力模式进行了新的分析与综合,为灾害和矿产研究提供了部分基础;提出了综合减灾系统工程设计。马宗晋院士1995年兼任国务院三部委中国重大自然灾害综合研究组组长;2005年任国家减灾委专家委员会主任。 马宗晋院士的报告以大量的研究数据系统地论述了中国的自然灾害和减灾的对策。我国是一个灾害频发、灾种繁多、灾情严重、经济损失巨大的国家,很好的学习和掌握马宗晋院士报告的观点和精神,对于推进我国的防灾减灾事业和从事防灾减灾教育事业均具有十分重要的意义。 我学报编辑部在认真学习和整理马宗晋院士报告的基础上,决定在学报的“院士专家论谈”专题栏目,陆续刊载以“中国自然灾害和减灾的对策”为题的系列文章,并经马院士同意和审核,马智同志编辑整理。我们认为,这对于全国各地从事防灾减灾事业的部门和工作人员,是十分有帮助的。希望各地从事防灾减灾事业和其他工作的读者能够关注这个栏目。[编者按]