Formation of polyester blends by a recombinant strain ofPseudomonas oleovorans: Different poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) are stored in separate granules

WhenPseudomonas oleovorans (GPo1) is grown on sodium octanoate under ammonium limiting conditions, it is able to accumulate a copolyester consisting of medium chain length 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA_m). 3-Hydroxybutyrate is only incorporated in trace amounts. WhenP. oleovorans is equipped with the PHB biosynthetic genes ofAlcaligenes eutrophus (GPo1[pVK101::PP1]), it forms a polyester containing major amounts of 3-hydroxybutyrate. The resulting polymer however is a blend of PHA_m and PHB, rather than a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and medium chain length 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids [11]. To establish whether PHA_m and PHB molecules are stored in the same or separate granules by this recombinantP. oleovorans strain, we studied polymer forming cells by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. This approach is possible because previous freeze-fracture electron microscopy studies on PHA_m and PHB accumulating strains have shown that PHA_m and PHB granules can be distinguished from each other: PHA_m granules from mushroom-like structures, whereas PHB granules from needle structures during freeze-fracturing. In this paper we show that stationary phase cells of GPo1[pVK101::PP1] contained both mushroom and needle-like structures, indicating that PHA_m and PHB chains were stored in separate granules. To be able to determine whether the separation of PHA_m and PHB is complete, the respective granules were separated on sucrose gradients. A total cell extract of GPo1[pVK101::PP1] which was subjected to sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed two white bands of different densities: the upper band with a density of 1.05 g/mL consisted exclusively of PHA_m granules, while the lower band with a density of 1.19 g/mL consisted of PHB granules only. Thus, when bacteria synthesize both PHA_m and PHB, the resulting polymer chains are segregated completely and stored in separate granules.     

DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE AND PRECISION OF ESTIMATED PARAMETERS FOR RUNOFF FROM SEMIARID WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT Significant parameters for predicting thunderstorm runoff from small semiarid watersheds are determined using data from the Walnut Gulch watershed in southern Arizona. Based on these data, thunderstorm rainfall is dominant over watershed parameters for predicting runoff from multiple linear regression equations. In some cases antecedent moisture added significantly to the models. A technique is developed for estimating precision of predicted values from multiple linear regression equations. The technique involves matrix methods in estimating the variance of mean predicted values from a regression equation. The estimated variance of the mean predicted value is then used to estimate the variance of an individual predicted value. A computer program is developed to implement these matrix methods and to form confidence limits on predicted values based on both a normality assumption and the Chebyshev inequality.     

Evaluation of Material Biodegradability in Real Conditions–Development of a Burial Test and an Analysis Methodology Based on Numerical Vision

This work validated a burial protocol for in situ testing and presents a robust, repeatable and time-saving technique to measure degraded areas in the sample, i.e. an image analysis method. 1440 specimens of degraded samples have been compiled in a data base. To this end, twenty samples presenting different levels of biodegradability (i.e. PHBV/HV, PLA, PCL, PCL-Starch, paper, PE, PE-Starch) were buried at 4 different locations and then disinterred at 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24-month intervals. The biodegradation levels of these samples were determined by computing weight and area loss. Weight loss was measured after careful cleaning, whereas area loss was quantified using image analysis. Image analysis gives reliable information on visual pollution while only requiring a rudimentary and thus quicker cleaning of the samples.     

揭开武汉东湖蓝藻水华消失之谜

水华（亦称湖靛）是湖泊富营养化最恶劣的表征之一。武汉东湖７０年代至１９８４年间每年夏季出现蓝藻水华,１９８５年起突然消失,至今已有１４年没有重现,原因何在？通过三次设在湖里的围隔试验,证明鲢鳙的大量放养,是水华消失的决定性因素。     

Distractions and the risk of car crash injury: the effect of drivers' age

PROBLEM: Motor-vehicle accidents are one of the major causes of injury in most motorized countries. Driver distractions have been suggested as a contributor to traffic accidents. Moreover, age of the driver seems to have a role in the relationship between distractions and car crashes. But very few studies have investigated the effect of driver's age on this relationship. This exploratory study investigated the association between distractions, both inside and outside the vehicle, and the increased risk of car crash injury among drivers across different ages. METHOD: This study used a case series design to analyze data routinely collected by the NSW police in Australia. A special focus of this study was on how drivers' age affects the risk of car crash injury, which was determined by using a well-documented risk estimation methodology. RESULTS: The results obtained indicated that drivers of all ages, on the whole, are more susceptible to distractions inside the vehicle than distractions coming from outside. Age was shown to affect the relationship between in-vehicle distraction and the risk of car crash injury. A separate analysis was also conducted on hand-held phone usage while driving with results supplementing previous findings reported in the literature. IMPACT TO INDUSTRY: Safety strategies to countermeasure in-vehicle distractions have been suggested and discussed.     

环境物探技术在岩溶勘察中的应用及其效果

将高密度电阻率法及工程地震映像法两种环境物探技术同时应用于实际的地质灾害(岩溶)勘察中,结果表明:对于岩溶这样的地质灾害,单一环境物探技术虽然能清楚反映其埋深、规模和发育情况,但各有缺陷。而多种环境物探技术的综合使用,相互补充,将能大大提高岩溶勘察的准确性,提高勘察效果和效率。     

交通事故再现技术研究现状与发展趋势

道路交通事故再现不仅是交通事故责任鉴定和原因分析的重要方法,也是交通事故防治的重要内容。在详细介绍国内外事故再现计算机仿真技术的基础上,分析目前事故再现系统开发中事故现场数据采集技术、碰撞前后速度估算的技术、碰撞过程进行模拟的虚拟现实技术的研究现状与存在的问题,提出进一步优化的方向,进而达到完善交通事故模拟再现的目的。最后指出我国交通事故再现技术进一步研究的内容和发展趋势。     

CO2 storage capacity estimation: Methodology and gaps

Implementation of CO₂ capture and geological storage (CCGS) technology at the scale needed to achieve a significant and meaningful reduction in CO₂ emissions requires knowledge of the available CO₂ storage capacity. CO₂ storage capacity assessments may be conducted at various scales—in decreasing order of size and increasing order of resolution: country, basin, regional, local and site-specific. Estimation of the CO₂ storage capacity in depleted oil and gas reservoirs is straightforward and is based on recoverable reserves, reservoir properties and in situ CO₂ characteristics. In the case of CO₂-EOR, the CO₂ storage capacity can be roughly evaluated on the basis of worldwide field experience or more accurately through numerical simulations. Determination of the theoretical CO₂ storage capacity in coal beds is based on coal thickness and CO₂ adsorption isotherms, and recovery and completion factors. Evaluation of the CO₂ storage capacity in deep saline aquifers is very complex because four trapping mechanisms that act at different rates are involved and, at times, all mechanisms may be operating simultaneously. The level of detail and resolution required in the data make reliable and accurate estimation of CO₂ storage capacity in deep saline aquifers practical only at the local and site-specific scales. This paper follows a previous one on issues and development of standards for CO₂ storage capacity estimation, and provides a clear set of definitions and methodologies for the assessment of CO₂ storage capacity in geological media. Notwithstanding the defined methodologies suggested for estimating CO₂ storage capacity, major challenges lie ahead because of lack of data, particularly for coal beds and deep saline aquifers, lack of knowledge about the coefficients that reduce storage capacity from theoretical to effective and to practical, and lack of knowledge about the interplay between various trapping mechanisms at work in deep saline aquifers.     

复合无机防火涂料优配研究

以市售无机膨胀型AB牌防火涂料为研究基础,复合了膨胀阻燃剂(APP-MEL-PER阻燃体系)、抑烟剂和助剂,进行了新型防火涂料的制备,当膨胀阻燃体系(APP-MEL-PER阻燃体系)以17∶6∶6的配比混合于该涂料中,其所占质量百分比为19%的时,防火性能最好。测试表明,该新型防火涂料烟密度等级6.77,指数下降了10,接近于国家标准1级。在248℃~400℃期间失重仅为12%,在390℃,有强烈的吸收峰,也表现了优异的阻燃性能。实现了APP-MEL-PER膨胀阻燃剂和AB牌涂料优配的目的。     

A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING SNOWFALL AMOUNTS1

ABSTRACT: Long-term climatic data from National Weather Service stations in six areas of the United States were utilized to develop regression equations relating a “snowfall index” parameter and air temperature. Nearly 200 stations, representing a wide range in physiographic and climatic conditions, were selected for analysis. Snowfall index is defined as the ratio of snowfall depth to precipitation. Using annual data, regression analysis indicated snowfall index to be significantly (α= 0.01) related to temperature for five of the six areas studied. Differences between equations were attributed to the effects of precipitation and temperature during non-snowfall periods. Mean monthly data were also considered and significant equations (α= 0.011, representing a family of similarly shaped curves, were obtained. The illustrated equations can be used for estimating mean monthly and annual snowfall amounts for stations having only temperature and precipitation measurements.