Lemna minor membranes affected by adjuvants

The perturbant effects of four Triton adjuvants, namely Triton X-15, X-35, X-100, and X-114 (alkyl aryl polyether alcohols), on some of the biochemical determinants of membrane integrity were determined under laboratory conditions. Two of these, Triton X-100 and X-114, are currently being assessed as emulsifiers for use in fenitrothion insecticidal formulations. Lemna minor L. plants were exposed to 40 microM (10-25 microg ml(-1) in 965 microg mg(-1) Dowanol (tripropylene glycol methyl ether) carrier solvent) adjuvant for a treatment time period of two weeks. A decrease in the contents of the total phospholipids and a concomitant increase in the contents of the galactolipids were found. No change was observed in the total lipid content. An unsaturation occurred in the fatty acids of the total lipids, phospholipids, and monogalactosyl diacylglycerides. This accounted for a significant decrease in palmitic and stearic acids and a concomitant increase in oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids when these are compared with the fatty acids in the nontreated control sets. The fatty-acid profile of the digalactosyl diacylglycerides, however, differed only slightly from controls. Membrane-fatty-acid unsaturation suggests the possibility of a desaturase enzyme's being induced by these adjuvants.     

青藏高原多年冻土区铁路路堤变形特征研究

路堤的稳定是公路、铁路等行车安全的保证。路堤变形通过路基—轨道—车辆大系统的相互作用而影响行车安全。冻胀、融沉是多年冻土地区路堤变形的重要形式。多年冻土区的路基变形问题是至今仍未彻底解决的一大难题。青藏铁路穿越 5 5 0km多年冻土区 ,为研究多年冻土区路堤变形特征 ,笔者对青藏铁路某试验段进行变形监测并对监测数据进行分析。结果表明铁路路堤的修建改变了多年冻土原来的水热平衡 ,天然冻土上限的变化导致路堤产生变形。同时 ,变形特征还受路堤边坡的坡向、降水量和地基土类型等因素的制约。在此基础上 ,提出几点减少多年冻土区铁路路堤变形的一些看法和建议。     

稻米和土壤中农美利残留量气相色谱分析方法的研究

建立了测定稻田土壤、稻米中农美利残留量的气相色谱分析方法。用配有NPD的气相色谱仪、DB-1301毛细管柱测定稻田土壤及稻米中农美利的残留量，最低检测浓度为0．01mg／kg、平均回收率为80．4％-99．8％，变异系数为6．3％-11．7％，均达到残留分析的要求。     

利用地理信息系统(GIS)开发多功能空管系统

在航空运输中 ,飞行安全最为重要 ,空管指挥是保证飞行安全的重要手段。地理信息系统 (GIS)能够将空间位置和性质属性结合在一起 ,非常适合空管指挥中直观性、安全性方面的需要。笔者在研究开发多功能空管系统的基础上 ,讨论了对地形、地物、航道、空管区、禁飞区等进行数字化的方法 ,提出了系统开发的主要技术 ,介绍了多功能空管系统的显示、控制、示警、辅助决策、智能纠错等功能 ,指出了空管系统的发展方向     

治理噪声污染 保障人身健康

阐述氧气生产过程中噪声的产生及对人体的危害性，实施多种噪声防治措施，取得显著成效。     

Effect of soil solids concentration in batch tests on the partition coefficients of organic pollutants in landfill liner-soil materials

 The effect of the soil solids concentration in batch tests on the measured values of the partition coefficient (K _p) of organic pollutants in landfill liner-soil material was investigated. Since this study was based on the results of batch and column tests conducted independently, there were limitations to the conclusions derived. The organic compounds tested were benzene, methylene chloride, toluene, trichloroethylene, and p-xylene. The results of this study showed that as soil solids concentrations increased, the measured K _p values of these organic compounds strongly decreased. The observed values of K _p stabilized when the soil solids concentration was above a certain value. Typical K _p values obtained from batch tests conducted under high soil solids concentrations were close to those obtained from column tests. It was concluded that the K _p values of organic compounds measured under low soil solids concentrations, i.e., less than 100 g/l, may not correctly simulate the field situation. Consequently, the values of K _p obtained with low soil solids concentrations can result in an overestimation of the retardation factor of the landfill liner material. Received: March 14, 2002 / Accepted: August 25, 2002     

Review of information on pesticide residues in the Canadian environment

Summary Pesticide residues in soil, water, food, wildlife and other media have been analysed in several monitoring studies. The purpose was to establish the distribution of these residues across a defined area, ascertain their trend over a specific period and use the results to assess environmental compliance and safety. In the present review the availability of information on pesticide residues in various Canadian environmental components was sought. With the possible exception of localized pesticide contamination of some private water supply wells, ground and surface water, most analyses revealed concentrations below guideline limits. Only a few cases were reported of mishandling, misuse and poisoning from pesticides. Continuing surveillance programmes and in-depth and well-organized monitoring studies, with special focus on areas that are vulnerable to contamination, by both provincial and federal governments, are largely responsible for the encouraging results. This experience in the control of pesticide use and monitoring of residues in the environment should be of particular interest in developing countries.Dr A.Y. Sangodoyin is a senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan. He was recently involved in a study visit to the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G7, where his co-author Dr D.W. Smith is a member of staff in the Department of Civil-Engineering.     

Enzyme-Retted Flax Fiber and Recycled Polyethylene Composites

Municipal solid wastes generated each year contain potentially useful and recyclable materials for composites. Simultaneously, interest is high for the use of natural fibers, such as flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), in composites thus providing cost and environmental benefits. To investigate the utility of these materials, composites containing flax fibers with recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) were created and compared with similar products made with wood pulp, glass, and carbon fibers. Flax was either enzyme- or dew-retted to observe composite property differences between diverse levels of enzyme formulations and retting techniques. Coupling agents would strengthen binding between fibers and HDPE but in this study fibers were not modified in anyway to observe mechanical property differences between natural fiber composites. Composites with flax fibers from various retting methods, i.e., dew- vs. enzyme-retting, behaved differently; dew-retted fiber composites resulted in both lower strength and percent elongation. The lowest level of enzyme-retting and the most economical process produces composites that do not appear to differ from the highest level of enzyme-retting. Flax fibers improved the modulus of elasticity over wood pulp and HDPE alone and were less dense than glass or carbon fiber composites. Likely, differences in surface properties of the various flax fibers, while poorly defined and requiring further research, caused various interactions with the resin that influenced composite properties.