Trophoblast-like cells sorted from peripheral maternal blood using flow cytometry: A multiparametric study involving transmission electron microscopy and fetal dna amplification

Three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against trophoblast (GB17, GB21, and GB25) and flow cytometry were used to sort trophoblast-like cells (TLCs) from peripheral blood of pregnant women. Sorted TLCs were processed for electron microscopy and fetal DNA amplification of the Y-specific sequences from mothers carrying male fetuses. At the ultra-structural level, most of the nucleated cells had the morphology of leucocytes, suggesting maternal contaminants, and we did not find the characteristic features of the free inter-villous trophoblast cells. Nevertheless, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed an amplification of Y-specific sequences in two out of three samples of sorted TLCs. These results suggest that besides the maternal leucocytes, sufficient trophoblast nucleated fetal cells can be obtained using cell enrichment by sorting. This sensitive method holds promise for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex and if sufficient Y(positive) nuclei are found, for the diagnosis of selected numerical chromosome abnormalities.     

Gold mining in Siberia and the Far East as a source of mercury contamination of the environment

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＳｉｂｅｒｉａａｎｄｔｈｅＦａｒＥａｓｔａｒｅｔｈｅｏｌｄｅｓｔａｎｄｔｈｅｒｉｃｈｅｓｔｇｏｌｄ ｍｉｎｉｎｇａｒｅａｓｏｆＲｕｓｓｉａ .Ｉｎｔｅｎｓｉｖｅｇｏｌｄ ｍｉｎｉｎｇｈｅｒｅｓｔａｒｔｅｄｉｎｔｈｅｂｅｇｉｎｎｉｎｇｏｆｔｈｅ 19ｔｈｃｅｎｔｕｒｙ(Ｖｙａｚｅｌｓｈｃｈｉｋｏｖ ,1963) .Ｆｏｒｔｈｅｍｏｓｔｐａｒｔｇｏｌｄ ｂｅａｒｉｎｇｏｒｅｓａｎｄｓａｎｄｓｗｅｒｅｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｅｄｗｉｔｈｔｈｅｕｓｅｏｆａｍａｌｇａｍａｔｉｏｎｍｅｔｈｏｄｆｏｒｇｏｌｄｅ…     

模拟酸露对植物影响的实验

模拟酸露对植物影响的实验结果表明，用酸露处理后，蚕豆的生理指标发生一定的变化，尤以ｐＨ１３．０时的变化较明显，显示了模拟酸露对植物的伤害作用。     

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.     

Tillage erosion and its effect on soil properties and crop yield in Denmark

Tillage erosion had been identified as a major process of soil redistribution on sloping arable land. The objectives of our study were to investigate the extent of tillage erosion and its effect on soil quality and productivity under Danish conditions. Soil samples were collected to a 0.45-m depth on a regular grid from a 1.9-ha site and analyzed for 137Cs inventories, as a measure of soil redistribution, soil texture, soil organic carbon (SOC) contents, and phosphorus (P) contents. Grain yield was determined at the same sampling points. Substantial soil redistribution had occurred during the past decades, mainly due to tillage. Average tillage erosion rates of 2.7 kg m(-2) yr(-1) occurred on the shoulderslopes, while deposition amounted to 1.2 kg m(-2) yr(-1) on foot- and toeslopes. The pattern of soil redistribution could not be explained by water erosion. Soil organic carbon and P contents in soil profiles increased from the shoulder- toward the toeslopes. Tillage translocation rates were strongly correlated with SOC contents, A-horizon depth, and P contents. Thus, tillage erosion had led to truncated soils on shoulderslopes and deep, colluvial soils on the foot- and toeslopes, substantially affecting within-field variability of soil properties. We concluded that tillage erosion has important implications for SOC dynamics on hummocky land and increases the risk for nutrient losses by overland flow and leaching. Despite the occurrence of deep soils across the study area, evidence suggested that crop productivity was affected by tillage-induced soil redistribution. However, tillage erosion effects on crop yield were confounded by topography-yield relationships.     

燃煤飞灰负载钾基CO2吸收剂再生反应特性的动力学分析

采用热重分析的方法对吸收剂的再生反应进行研究,说明了燃煤飞灰负载钾基CO2吸收剂的制备方法,探讨了在不同升温速率下燃煤飞灰负载钾基CO2吸收剂和纯KHCO3的再生反应特性。结果表明: 燃煤飞灰负载吸收剂的峰值失重速率为0.13~0.73 mg?min-1,在升温速率为20 ℃?min-1时,反应温度区间最小,为94.34 ℃;采用多种分析方法对吸收剂的受热分解反应进行动力学分析,纯KHCO3的反应活化能为85.7~92.0 kJ·mol-1;燃煤飞灰负载钾基CO2吸收剂的反应活化能为66.2~69.4 kJ·mol-1,随着转化率上升,2种样品的活化能均先减小后增大。燃煤飞灰负载钾基吸收剂再生反应的活化能小于纯KHCO3的活化能,说明将KHCO3负载于燃煤飞灰上有利于再生反应的进行。     

基于航空摄影测量的填埋堆体动态重构精度及影响因素

填埋堆体表面形变监测是填埋场库容管理和堆体失稳等风险分析的核心,其时空高分辨率监测研究近年来引起广泛关注。基于航空摄影的地表测量技术具有采集速度快、时空分辨率高等优点,但在填埋场特殊环境下,面对高频填埋活动、显著的堆体变化以及防雨膜覆盖等干扰时,要同时满足高时空分辨率和耗时短的动态监测要求,无人机的最佳飞行参数设定亟待研究。为此,该研究模拟中等规模危险废物填埋场的规模和日填埋量,利用专业级无人机获取模拟区域图像,空三加密处理生成三维点云数据,利用Arcmap叠加分析多期监测数据,从点位坐标、重构尺度、重构体积、体积差分精度4个角度分析重构误差。结果表明:三维重构的坐标精度可以达到米级;重构尺度误差为2~3 cm,重构体积误差为0.16~0.17 m³,差分体积误差为0.16~0.17 m³;进一步研究发现,高度为25~55 m时,高度越高精度越低,相机倾角为[-53°,-60°]时,精度最高,旁向重叠率大于80%时,误差骤减且基本稳定。考虑到填埋场的填埋作业间隔、无人机续航能力等对飞行时间的约束,为获得最佳精度,建议无人机飞行高度为37 m、相机倾斜角度为[-53°,-60°]、旁向重叠率为80%。