S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase in amniotic fluid as markers of abdominal wall and neural tube defects in the fetus

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is increased leakage of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100 protein into amniotic fluid in pregnancies with neural tube defects, since both these proteins are produced by neural tissue, and to compare the value of these substances for detecting such defects with that of the more conventional techniques of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gel electrophoresis. Amniotic samples from 25 mid-pregnancies (15–17 weeks' gestation) with neural tube defects (14 with open spina bifida and 11 with anencephaly) and from seven mid-pregnancies with abdominal wall defects were compared with a control material consisting of 80 amniotic fluid samples from 80 consecutive mid-pregnancy amniocenteses, with normal karyotypes and AFP concentrations. All of the above cases of abnormalities were primarily detected through increased AFP levels in the amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid samples from 13 pregnancies with fetuses with autosomal chromosomal abnormalities and seven amniotic fluid samples contaminated with blood were also included in the investigation. It is concluded from the results that the conventional AFP assay combined with AChE gel electrophoresis is the best method for screening amniotic fluid for neural tube defects and defects of the abdominal wall. Neither NSE nor S-100 assay alone proved to be superior for the detection of these cases in mid-trimester amniotic fluid. The S-100 assay, however, could give additional information in cases where AChE gel electrophoresis is not decisive; for example, in samples contaminated with blood.     

Rising recreancy: flood control and community relocation in Houston,TX, from an environmental justice perspective

This article looks at issues of recreancy, environmental justice, and relocation as they relate to a flood control infrastructure project in inner city Houston. The main research questions were “What forms would recreancy take?” and “Can a project be environmentally just if recreancy is present?” Through the structural coding of 53 semi-structured interviews, recreancy was found even in a project where the sponsors used community cohesion as a guideline. This article illuminates the difficulties flood control project engineers face when working in local communities and argues that engineering issues are also social issues. Further, the relocatees within this flood control project voice some of the same concerns experienced by people relocated in other involuntary infrastructure development projects. The case outlined in this article could be used to better help those involuntarily relocated for flood control.     

Efficiency and degradation products elucidation of the photodegradation of mefenpyrdiethyl in water interface using TiO2 P-25 and Hombikat UV100

The photodegradation of mefenpyrdiethyl (MFD), an herbicide safener, was investigated in aqueous suspensions by using Degussa P-25 and Hombikat UV100 titanium oxide under simulated sunlight irradiation. The effects of initial concentration of the herbicide, pH, catalysts and hydrogen peroxide doses as well as their combinations were studied and optimized. Accordingly, the kinetic parameters were determined and the effectiveness of the processes was assessed by calculating the rate constants. A pseudo first-order kinetics was observed. Under experimental conditions, the degradation rate constants were strongly influenced using P-25 and no noticeable effect was observed for Hombikat UV100. DFT calculations with B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory were performed to check whether significant conformational changes occur when the charge state of the MFD substrate changes and whether these changes could play a role in the dependency of photodegradation rate constant on the studied pH. High resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR/MS) was implemented to identify the main degradation products.     

How Research‐Prioritization Exercises Affect Conservation Policy

Abstract: Conservation scientists are concerned about the apparent lack of impact their research is having on policy. By better aligning research with policy needs, conservation science might become more relevant to policy and increase its real‐world salience in the conservation of biological diversity. Consequently, some conservation scientists have embarked on a variety of exercises to identify research questions that, if answered, would provide the evidence base with which to develop and implement effective conservation policies. I synthesized two existing approaches to conceptualizing research impacts. One widely used approach classifies the impacts of research as conceptual, instrumental, and symbolic. Conceptual impacts occur when policy makers are sensitized to new issues and change their beliefs or thinking. Instrumental impacts arise when scientific research has a direct effect on policy decisions. The use of scientific research results to support established policy positions are symbolic impacts. The second approach classifies research issues according to whether scientific knowledge is developed fully and whether the policy issue has been articulated clearly. I believe exercises to identify important research questions have objectives of increasing the clarity of policy issues while strengthening science–policy interactions. This may facilitate the transmission of scientific knowledge to policy makers and, potentially, accelerate the development and implementation of effective conservation policy. Other, similar types of exercises might also be useful. For example, identification of visionary science questions independent of current policy needs, prioritization of best practices for transferring scientific knowledge to policy makers, and identification of questions about human values and their role in political processes could all help advance real‐world conservation science. It is crucial for conservation scientists to understand the wide variety of ways in which their research can affect policy and be improved systematically.     

Triton X-100对土壤中柴油的解吸特征及影响因素

为考察非离子表面活性剂Triton X-100对土壤中柴油解吸特性及土壤理化性质对其解吸的影响,通过振荡平衡法研究Triton X-100对浙江水稻土、重庆紫壤、江西红壤、海南沙土、青海灰漠土和黑龙江黑土中柴油解吸行为及其影响因素.结果表明,Triton X-100对浙江水稻土、重庆紫壤、江西红壤、海南沙土、青海灰漠土和黑龙江黑土中柴油的解吸均符合先快后慢、最后达到解吸平衡的规律,平衡时解吸量分别1.61、1.85、1.80、2.29、2.01和1.13 mg/g.其解吸动力学过程均符合准二级动力学模型（R2>0.99）;6种典型土壤中柴油的等温解吸特征可较好地用修正的米氏方程模型进行描述（R2>0.92）.Q_max（柴油最大解吸量）介于1.81~2.23 mg/g之间,浙江水稻土、重庆紫壤、江西红壤、海南沙土、青海灰漠土和黑龙江黑土中ρ_max（柴油最大解吸率）分别为73.20%、78.06%、75.63%、90.36%、79.89%和62.92%;土壤各理化性质对Triton X-100解吸土壤中柴油的影响起综合作用,其中土壤w（砂粒）与ρ_max呈显著正相关（R2=0.993 6,P < 0.01）,对Triton X-100解吸柴油的影响最大;而CEC（阳离子交换量）、w（OM）、w（黏粒）均与ρ_max呈显著负相关（P < 0.05）.研究显示,修正的米氏方程可用于描述柴油在土壤-水-表面活性剂Triton X-100系统中的解吸行为,w（砂粒）是影响不同土壤中柴油解吸的关键因子,可为应用Triton X-100修复柴油污染土壤提供理论基础.      

Growth factors, kinetics and biodegradation mechanism associated with Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 grown on octylphenol polyethoxylates

The growth properties and biodegradation mechanism of a Gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 that was able to grow on branched octylphenol polyethoxylates (OPEO(n), average n=9.5) as the sole carbon source over a wide concentration range (1-100,000 mgl(-1)) were studied. Analysis of growth factors indicated the highest specific growth rate (micro) of 0.53 h(-1) was obtained at an initial concentration of 5,000 mgl(-1) OPEO(n). An optimal C/N ratio of 12 was obtained for (NH(4))(2)SO(4) as the nitrogen source in a cultivated medium at pH 7. The kinetic analysis demonstrated that bacterial growth and OPEO(n) degradation followed the Monod equation and were based on a substrate concentration inhibition model and pseudo-first-order reaction, respectively. The substrate inhibition coefficient was over 18,000 mgl(-1) and this indicates that the strain has an ability to sustain growth at high concentrations of OPEO(n) and use it as the sole carbon source under such a stress condition. Furthermore, LC-MS analysis showed that the biodegradation mechanism of dodecyl octaethoxylate (AEO8) by P. nitroreducens TX1 was the sequential cleavage of the ethoxylate chain.     

RIDGE REGRESSION TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO LANDSAT INVESTIGATION OF WATER QUALITY IN LAKE OKEECHOBEE1

ABSTRACT: Landsat radiance values were processed at two different (single and double) levels of accuracy to estimate chlorophyll a, turbidity, and suspended sediment in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Both ordinary least square and ridge regression analyses were used to establish a relationship between water quality parameters and Landsat radiance. Radiance measurements made at greater precision (double level) gave a better solution in this application. The ridge regression analysis for double level not only can reduce the total mean square error about 13–20 percent and confidence interval about 6–28 percent as compared to ordinary least square analysis, but it can also change the interpretation of analysis results.     

膨润土对复合污染中表面活性剂的吸附及机理

选取阳离子表面活性剂氯化十六烷基吡啶(CPC)、阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)及非离子表面活性剂Triton X-100(TX-100)为代表,研究了其在膨润土上的吸附行为,探讨了膨润土阳离子交换容量(CEC)、温度、盐度对CPC吸附的影响.结果表明,Na基膨润土对CPC的吸附性能最好,对SDBS基本无吸附,对TX-100的吸附介于两者之间.Na基膨润土对CPC的吸附是阳离子交换和疏水键缔合共同作用的结果,对TX-100的吸附主要是通过其与膨润土硅氧表面间的氢键作用,同时通过疏水键作用形成吸附双分子层;SDBS在Ca基膨润土上的吸附损失量先增大后减小,在1.5倍临界胶束浓度 (CMC)时达到极大值,主要机理是SDBS与膨润土中的Ca²⁺产生沉淀作用,而胶束具有再溶解沉淀的作用.膨润土对CPC的吸附量随着温度升高而降低,随着CEC的增大而增大,一定浓度NaCl的加入有利于其在膨润土上的吸附.     

Fast and efficient aqueous arsenic removal by functionalized MIL-100(Fe)/rGO/δ-MnO2 ternary composites: Adsorption performance and mechanism

Because of its significant toxicological effects on the environment and human health,arsenic(As) is a major global issue.In this study,an Fe-based metal-organic framework(MOF)(Materials of Institut Lavoisier:MIL-100(Fe)) which was impregnated with reduced graphene oxide(rGO) by using a simple hydrothermal method and coated with birnessitetype manganese oxide(δ-MnO_2) using the one-pot reaction process(MIL-100(Fe)/rGO/δ-MnO_2 nanocomposites) was synthesized and applied successfully in As removal.The removal efficiency was rapid,the equilibrium was achieved in 40 min and 120 min for As(Ⅲ) and As(Ⅴ),respectively,at a level of 5 mg/L.The maximum adsorption capacities of As(Ⅲ) and As(Ⅴ) at pH 2 were 192.67 mg/g and 162.07 mg/g,respectively.The adsorbent revealed high stability in pH range 2-9 and saturated adsorbent can be fully regenerated at least five runs.The adsorption process can be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir monolayer adsorption.The adsorption mechanisms consisted of electrostatic interaction,oxidation and inner sphere surface complexation.     

表面活性剂对热带假丝酵母降解苯酚的影响

通过液态发酵培养法探讨了添加2种化学表面活性剂十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)、曲拉通X-100(Triton X-100)以及生物表面活性剂二鼠李糖脂(dirhamnolipid,diRL)对1株热带假丝酵母(Candida tropicalis)降解苯酚的影响.结果表明,发酵液中苯酚的分解和菌体生长的不同步,反映了苯酚对该菌的毒性作用以及苯酚降解过程中中间产物的形成.CTAB对热带假丝酵母具有毒性作用,抑制菌体对苯酚的降解.低浓度(0.1、0.3CMC)的Triton X-100对C.tropicalis的生长及对苯酚的降解有一定的促进作用,分别将苯酚降解完全的时间由空白的48h提前至24h和36h;随着Triton X-100浓度增大(1.0、3.0CMC),降解初期菌体的衰亡减缓,但使菌体生长滞后,苯酚分解完全的时间延长.生物表面活性剂diRL促进菌体对苯酚降解的同时显著地促进了C.tropicalis的生长,且促进作用随着加入diRL浓度的增大而增强,1.0、3.0CMC的diRL将苯酚降解完全的时间都提前到24h;而diRL在发酵过程中浓度也逐渐降低,这表明diRL很大程度上减弱了苯酚对菌体的毒性,并且可以共同作为碳源促进菌体的生长.