Transcriptome analysis provides insights for understanding the adverse effects of endosulfan in Drosophila melanogaster

Indiscriminate use of agrochemicals worldwide, particularly, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), is of concern. Endosulfan, a POP, is used by various developing/developed nations and is known to adversely affect the development and the hormonal profiles of humans and animals. However, little is known about the molecular players/pathways underlying the adverse effects of endosulfan. We therefore analyzed the global gene expression changes and subsequent adverse effects of endosulfan using Drosophila. We used Drosophila melanogaster keeping in view of its well annotated genome and the wealth of genetic/molecular reagents available for this model organism. We exposed third instar larvae of D. melanogaster to endosulfan (2.0 μg mL⁻¹) for 24 h and using microarray, we identified differential expression of 256 genes in exposed organisms compared to controls. These genes are associated with cellular processes such as development, stress and immune response and metabolism. Microarray results were validated through quantitative PCR and biochemical assay on a subset of genes/proteins. Taking cues from microarray data, we analyzed the effect of endosulfan on development, emergence and survival of the organism. In exposed organisms, we observed deformities in hind-legs, reminiscent of those observed in higher organisms exposed to endosulfan. In addition, we observed delayed and/or reduced emergence in exposed organisms when compared to their respective controls. Together, our studies not only highlight the adverse effects of endosulfan on the organism but also provide an insight into the possible genetic perturbations underlying these effects, which might have potential implications to higher organisms.     

基于安全投入产出模型的城市安全资源优化策略

城市安全投入与安全经济效益是制约城市安全产出的两个关键因素。为了揭示两者间的关系及其在提高城市安全度方面的作用，笔者借鉴安全经济学理论和方法，在研讨安全投入产出概论的基础上，在安全经济效益不变和安全投入量已知的情况下，提出了建立安全投入产出模型的方法。并以企业为例，从微观上验证了模型的有效性。不仅为城市安全管理决策者提供了制定安全投入目标、确定安全投入效用水平的量化工具，而且更加突出了提高安全经济效益的重要性。同时，提出了建立“资源共享”的城市重大危险源安全应急网络策略，为进一步优化城市安全资源配置和提高资源利用率奠定了基础。     

What happens when you trust your supervisor? Mediators of individual performance in trust relationships

To understand how trust in supervisor translates into individual job performance, we hypothesize that trust in supervisor facilitates positive psychological conditions of meaningfulness, safety, and availability, which in turn predict individual job performance. We assert that each of the three mediating paths in our model represents a distinct mechanism by which trust in supervisor contributes to individual job performance. We test our hypotheses with 206 supervisor–subordinate dyads and find that trust in supervisor contributes to job performance through psychological availability and psychological safety but not psychological meaningfulness. By examining three different psychological mechanisms within the same frame, we provide a test that compares and contrasts the uniqueness of the three pathways. Our findings suggest practical ways for managers to build trust with subordinates and guidance for the design of productive work conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The BG Measurement System for Hazardous Substances (BGMG) and the Exposure Database of Hazardous Substances (MEGA)

German employers ‘ liability insurance associations or Berufsgenossenschaften (BGs)—institutions for statutoryaccident insurance—maintain a measurement system for hazardous substances, the so-called BGMG. The aimof the BGMG is to determine and document valid results of measurements of exposure primarily for preventionpurposes. The data are collected systematically, in parallel to the sampling in a company. Parameters which aresupposed to have a visible effect on exposure levels are documented. The MEGA database (documentation ofmeasurement data relating to workplace exposure to hazardous substances) holds 1,629 million measurementvalues, which have been compiled in since 1972. The database offers a host of selection possibilities forassessments depending on the evaluation strategy.     

EU Directive,ICNIRP Guidelines and Polish Legislation on Electromagnetic Fields

This review describes the general provisions of and the philosophy behind European Directive 2004/40/EC and ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines. As an example of national legislation on the protection of workers against excessive electromagnetic field exposure, regulations established in Poland are summarized. The problems of a practical implementation of the Directive’s provisions are discussed.     

高架仓库内喷头热响应性能研究

基于喷头热响应性理论的研究成果,主要研究了在给定响应时间指数和喷头动作温度的务件下,高架仓库所用快速响应早期抑制喷头(ESFR)的热响应性能,并结合案例,对高架仓库内喷头热响应性能的主要影响因素进行了定量分析,得出喷头热响应性能与环境温度和火源功率之间的关系。研究结果可为高架仓库自动喷水灭火系统的设计和评估提供一定的参考。     

海洋红球菌SY095产生物表面活性剂发酵培养基的优化

为提高海洋红球菌SY095发酵产生物表面活性剂的能力,研究发酵培养基中碳源及氮源的影响,并通过响应面分析法优化培养基各组分的含量。首先通过单因素实验,确定培养基最佳碳源、氮源分别为大豆油和尿素,在此基础上,利用Plackett-Burman实验设计筛选出2个对表面活性剂产量有显著影响的因子为尿素和K2HPO4,通过最陡爬坡实验和响应面分析法对显著影响因子进行优化,获得海洋红球菌产表面活性剂的最佳培养基配方为：大豆油2%（体积分数）,尿素2.35 g·L-1,K2HPO40.69 g·L-1,KH2PO4 1.0 g·L-1,MgSO4 0.5 g·L-1。使用该优化培养基配方,海洋红球菌发酵液的表面张力为29.254 mN·m-1,与预测值接近,表面张力活性比优化前提高了12.9%。     

响应面法优化石油降解菌性能的研究

从延长油田石油污染土壤中筛选出4株能以原油为唯一碳源生长的细菌单菌株,鉴定其优势菌株YC-2为枯草芽孢杆菌;利用响应面法进行实验设计,选定培养温度、pH值、氮磷比以及盐度为影响因素,对原油含量为0.5%的培养基进行YC-2菌株降解工艺优化,得到了原油降解率与4种因素之间的非线性回归方程,确定了降解原油的最优工艺条件:培养温度28℃;pH值6.5,氮磷比5.2:1,盐度0.45%。在最优条件下,预测降解率为53.9%,实验验证值为52.5%,结果显示,建立的模型具有较高的精度。     

响应面法优化黄粉虫幼虫处理餐厨垃圾饲养条件的研究

研究了黄粉虫幼虫处理餐厨垃圾的方法。首先在饲养温度、饲料含水量和饲养密度等条件下进行单因素实验,然后,以利用率为指标,运用响应面法优化了黄粉虫幼虫处理餐厨垃圾的饲养条件,结果表明,最佳饲养条件为饲养温度26.7℃、饲料含水量14.5%、饲养密度4.1头/cm2。在此饲养条件下,黄粉虫对餐厨垃圾利用率理论值为38.72%,实际餐厨垃圾利用率为38.88%,相对误差为0.41%,说明利用黄粉虫幼虫处理餐厨垃圾具有较好的效果。     

Risk Assessment of 26 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Compounds in Parkıng Garages

The aim of this study was to determine the level of 26 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at parking garages and to provide the necessary annual information based on occupational inhalation exposure and non-occupational inhalation exposure, which carry risks for the environment. For this purpose, 22 samples were collected continuously from both gas and particulates phase PAHs from two parking garages at Konya City Center, Turkey. The exposure-based risk of these samples was evaluated using concentrations of the carcinogenic PAH compounds. None of the 26 PAHs measured had values exceeding the recommended exposure limits (RELs) standard values for inhalation rate recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Exposure levels of gas and particulate PAHs for the occupational group and the public (children and adults who spend time in shopping centers) were found to be 0.07–28.24 μgm^?3 and 0.05–5.753 μgm^?3, respectively, representing levels two to four times higher than those at the control site. Maximum daily inhalation of B[a]Py was estimated at 1.33 ngd^?1 for exposure of the public and as 274 ngd^?1 for the occupational group. It is believed that traffic makes a substantial contribution to the PAH profile, which had relatively high concentrations of naphthalene (Napth) and coronene (Coro). Highly carcinogenic dibenzo(a,l)pyrene (B[al]Pyre) was found in the ambient air at two parking garages. Napth and phenanthrene (Phen) were the main compounds found in nearly all the tested samples. In this study, benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]Py) was used as a reference for PAHs because its concentration is stable and does not change seasonally. Considering the importance of these compounds in relation to human health, the aim of this work was to characterize and quantify the more toxic PAHs in parking garages. Conducting PAH sampling and their chemical analysis is very costly and labor intensive. This study produced data that can be a powerful tool for environmental forensics.