The nature of the redshift and directly observed quasar statistics

The nature of the cosmic redshift is one of the most fundamental questions in modern science. Hubble's discovery of the apparent Expansion of the Universe is derived from observations on a small number of galaxies at very low redshifts. Today, quasar redshifts have a range more than 1000 times greater than those in Hubble's sample, and represent more than 100 times as many objects. A recent comprehensive compilation of published measurements provides the basis for a study indicating that quasar observations are not in good agreement with the original predictions of the Expanding Universe theory, but are well fit by the predictions of an alternative theory having fewer adjustable parameters.     

Zelluläre Wirkungen der ultravioletten Komponente des Sonnenlichts

The discussion on the possible increase of solar UV on earth due to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone has led to a renewed interest in the action of ultraviolet radiation on biological systems. The paper deals with changes at the cellular level stressing particularly molecular alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid, the carrier of genetic information. The most important repair processes by which lesions are removed or bypassed are described. It is also discussed whether the effectivity of a complex spectrum can be predicted on the basis of measurements with monochromatic radiation. Furthermore, possible consequences on human health are outlined which may be derived from cellular studies.     

Prenatal diagnosis of the fragile X using thymidine induction

Eleven pregnancies in ten patients at risk for the fragile X were monitored by amniocentesis or chorion villus biopsy and induction of the fragile site using thymidine, methotrexate and FUdR. Three female fetuses and one male fetus were found to have the fragile X. The results obtained using thymidine induction were superior to those using methotrexate induction and probably better than those obtained using FUdR induction.     

餐厨垃圾和剩余污泥厌氧混合发酵过程的动态膜强化特性研究

比较了厌氧动态膜生物反应器（DMBR）与完全混合式反应器（CSTR）在处理餐厨垃圾（FW）和剩余污泥（WAS）时的发酵产气过程,验证了高负荷餐厨垃圾和剩余污泥混合发酵时DMBR系统运行的稳定性,考察了动态膜（DM）基材孔径（300目、200目和100目）对DMBR运行性能及其固液分离效果的影响.结果表明：一体式DMBR能够强化餐厨垃圾和剩余污泥混合发酵的高负荷稳定运行,DMBR过膜滤液中平均总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）为86.1 mg·L^-1,低于CSTR排泥中TVFA的浓度（527.3 mg·L^-1）.当动态膜基材孔径为300目时,DMBR过膜滤液中总有机物（TCOD）为（1.6±1.1）g·L^-1,相应的固液分离效果优于200目（（3.2±1.9）g·L^-1）和100目（（32.0±1.3）g·L^-1）动态膜基材,即当动态膜基材孔径为100目时,DMBR过膜滤液中TCOD比300目动态膜基材高6.7倍.与200目动态膜基材孔径相比,300目动态膜基材相应的跨膜压差增长缓慢,反洗频率和运行能耗均较低,而100目动态膜基材孔径过大,固液分离效果较低.因此,在高负荷餐厨垃圾和剩余污泥混合发酵系统中,选用300目动态膜基材形成的动态膜过滤效果最优.此外,本文还对比分析了有机废物和废水处理领域中较优的动态膜基材孔径及DMBR的应用情况,为拓展DMBR在有机物处理领域的应用提供依据.     

Sulfamethoxazole sorption by sediment fractions in comparison to pyrene and bisphenol A

The environmental behavior of antibiotics has attracted great research attention. However, their sorption mechanisms in soils/sediments are still unknown. Comparison of the sorption properties between the widely-studied hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and antibiotics may provide valuable insight to antibiotic sorption mechanisms. Thus, in this study batch experiments for pyrene (PYR), bisphenol A (BPA), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) sorption were conducted on a sediment sample and its separated fractions. Our results showed the high sorption of PYR on black carbon and organic matter. Although high sorption of SMX was observed for both separated organic fractions (humic acids) and inorganic mineral particles, the original sediment particles showed relatively low sorption. Competitive sorption between SMX and dissolved humic acid on mineral particles was observed in this study. This competitive interaction is a unique process for antibiotic sorption in soils/sediments compared with apolar HOCs and may be one of the important factors controlling the antibiotic sorption.     

Uptake of weakly hydrophobic nitroaromatics from water by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and by goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) filled with triolein, and goldfish (Carassius auratus) were simultaneously exposed to nine weakly hydrophobic nitroaromatics in a laboratory continuous-flow experiment. The results showed that the device concentrated the compounds in most cases to a larger extent than fish and that the overall uptake rate constants (Kmu) and average pollutant sampling rates (R(S)) were similar. We conclude that the SPMDs may be used to determine the levels of weakly hydrophobic nitroaromatics in water. It is obvious, however, that more researches at laboratory in order to establish kinetic database for a wide spectrum of compounds varying in lipophilicity and other properties are needed to elucidate various theoretical and practical aspects of the use of membranes in the environmental research and for related practical applications.     

Pollution characteristics of 23 veterinary antibiotics in livestock manure and manure-amended soils in Jiangsu province,China

The aim of this study was to investigate the pollution characteristics of typical veterinary antibiotics in manure and soil of livestock farms in Jiangsu province. This investigation employed solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). A total of 53 manure and 50 amended soil samples from 16 livestock farms in Jiangsu province were collected for analysis. In the manure samples, the highest detected frequencies and concentrations were those of tetracyclines (TCs, 54.1 ± 5775.6 μgkg^?1), followed by fluoroquinolones (FQs, 8.4 ± 435.6 μgkg^?1), sulphonamides (SAs, 3.2 ± 5.2 μgkg^?1) and macrolides (MACs, 0.4 ± 110.5 μgkg^?1). Statistical analysis was used to illuminate the pollution characteristics of 23 veterinary antibiotics for various animal types and different regions in Jiangsu province. The results showed that the pollution level in cow manure was relatively lower compared with pig and chicken manure due to the relative restriction of medication. Furthermore, contamination was serious in amended soil from chicken farms. The pollution level in manure among different regions was higher to the south and north compared with the centre of the region. The same outcome was found for soil. Antibiotic residues in organic fertilizer were also investigated in this study. We found that although the detected concentration was lower in organic fertilizer than in fresh manure, detection frequencies (10–90%) were high, especially for roxithromycin (90%) in MACs (30–90%). This finding suggests attention should be paid to the pollution levels in organic fertilizer. This study is the first extensive investigation of the occurrence and distribution of many kinds of typical veterinary antibiotics in manure and soil from livestock farms of Jiangsu province. This investigation systematically assesses veterinary antibiotics usage and related emissions in southeast China.