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.     

道南膜技术测定Ca(NO3)2溶液体系中汞的化学形态

虽然道南膜技术(DMT)已经成功用于土壤/溶液中多种重金属自由态离子浓度的测定,但DMT技术测定Hg的形态尚未解决.采用DMT测定Ca(NO3)2溶液体系中Hg化学形态.实验结果表明,Hg在阳离子交换膜内的吸附除静电吸附外还存在结合力更强的化学吸附,Hg在阳离子交换膜内扩散成为Hg跨膜传输受阻的主要因素,限制道南膜技术用于Hg形态测定.Hg2+和Hg(OH)2都表现出在阳离子交换膜上的强烈吸附,供端(Donor)Hg损失达50%以上.缩短试验时间至8h以内,可在一定程度上降低Hg吸附.计算结果表明,由于大量的Hg滞留在阳离子交换膜内,在计算受端(Acceptor)Hg浓度时引入滞留系数补偿供端Hg的损失,较好地预测了Ca(NO3)2溶液体系中Hg的化学形态.     

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.