细菌信息素研究进展

有关细胞信号的研究一直是生物学研究中的热点课题,尤其是动物细胞信号系统的研究已很深入,发现了许多信号分子和信号传导途径.但对微生物而言,长期以来的认识都是微生物,特别是细菌,一般只能被动地感受环境的变化,而没有群体的效应.其中唯一的特例是粘细菌(ｍｙｘｏｂａｃｔｅｒｉａ),在营养缺乏的条件下,通过释放ｃＡｍｐ等信号分子,促使营养细胞聚集,形成子实体和粘孢子[1].直至70年代,Ｈａｓｔｉｎｇ等通过对海洋发光细菌Ｖｉｂｒｉｏｆｉｓｃｈｅｒｉ和Ｖｉｂｒｉｏｈａｒｖｅｙｉ的发光机制的研究,发现发光细菌本身能产生一类小分子物…     

2株苯胺降解的分离鉴定及其降解特性研究

从处理印染废水的活性污泥中分离得到2株苯胺降解菌,从菌落、细胞形态、生理生化及16S rRNA基因扩增测序等方面对2株菌进行了鉴定,并比较分析2株菌在好氧与缺氧条件下的苯胺降解、偶氮染料脱色及苯胺脱氨氧化酶基因tdnQ和黄素还原酶基因(fre)的携带情况.结果表明,2株菌属于Pseudomonas属和Shewanella属,分别命名为Pseudomonas sp.AN30和Shewanella sp.DN425.AN30菌株在振荡好氧条件下72h内对250mg/L苯胺的降解率为96.1%,DN425菌株的降解率为13.8%;在静置缺氧条件下AN30菌株的苯胺降解率为39.6%,DN425菌株的降解率仅为8.6%.DN425菌株在静置缺氧条件下4h内可将初始浓度为50 mg/L的偶氮染料酸性大红彻底脱色,而AN30菌株对酸性大红不具有脱色能力.以总DNA为模板,分别用tdnQ基因和fre基因特异性引物进行扩增,2株菌均能扩增出大小分别为380bp和630bp左右的目标条带,显示2菌株均携带有苯胺脱氨氧化酶基因和黄素还原酶基因.     

华西雨屏区不同密度巨桉人工林土壤呼吸特征

从2008-03至2009-02,采用闭合动态法(LI-6400-09)对华西雨屏区不同密度中龄巨桉人工林土壤呼吸进行了研究。结果表明:①该林分土壤呼吸具有明显的季节动态,各密度林分土壤呼吸速率最高值均出现在7月份,最低出现在1月,且密度为883株·hm^-2(1.5 m×8 m)的巨桉林土壤呼吸速率最大,2 222株·hm^-2(1.5 m×3 m)的最小;②2008年4、7、10月土壤呼吸速率24 h平均值均表现为883株·hm^-2> 1 333株·hm^-2> 2 222株·hm^-2,且7月>4月>10月;③土壤微生物生物量碳氮、土壤有机质含量和10 cm根系生物量都表现出相同的趋势,即林分密度越小,土壤微生物生物量碳氮越高,草本植物越多,根系生物量越大,有机质含量越多;④温度是巨桉林土壤呼吸变异的主导因子,土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度和湿度的双因素模型优于单因素模型,两者共同解释了土壤呼吸速率月动态的78.3%~91.5%;⑤各密度林分土壤呼吸Q₁₀值随巨桉林分密度增大而降低,大小顺序为3.65(883株·hm^-2)>2.60(1 333株·hm^-2)>2.55(2 222株·hm^-2)。     

Mining and social development: Refocusing community investment using multi-criteria decision analysis

This paper addresses the question: How can mining companies assess social investment projects so that projects create value for the company and communities in which they operate? Mining companies are still wrestling with the limits of their responsibility in relation to social development even though they accept the business case for community investment at a general level. Fully aware of the practical hazards involved in taking an active role in facilitating local development, companies increasingly avoid methods that are overly paternalistic or assume the functions of the national or local governments. Gaining senior management's commitment to long-term social projects, which are characterised by uncertainty and complexity, is made easier if projects are shown to benefit the site's strategic goals. Case study research on large global mining companies, including interviews with social investment decision makers, has assisted in developing a Social Investment Decision Analysis Tool (SIDAT), a decision model for evaluating social projects. Multi-criteria decision analysis techniques integrating business planning processes with social impact assessment have proved useful in assisting mining companies think beyond seeking reputational benefits, to how they can meet their business goals and contribute to sustainable development.     

Natural resource abundance in Nigeria: From dependence to development

There are several strategies open to an economy in its attempt to attain sustainable economic development depending on its historical background and resource endowment. One of such is the resource-led strategy. Nigeria is superabundantly rich in crude oil and has reaped billions of petrodollars. However, the country seems to be facing the problem of successfully translating this huge oil wealth into sustainable development. This paper employs the vector error-correction methodology in examining the long-run impact of the huge oil wealth accruing to Nigeria on its economic development. Indicators such as per capita GDP (PGDP), household consumption, infrastructural development (electricity), and agricultural and manufacturing output growth rates are examined. The results suggest a significant positive long-run impact of per capita oil revenue on per capita household consumption and electricity generation, while a negative relationship is established for GDP, agriculture and manufacturing. Even for those variables with negative relationship at current period, there exist positive relationships at subsequent lags. Thus, oil revenue, if properly managed and invested, could be effectively used to induce oil-led development in Nigeria provided the current inhibitions of corruption, lack of transparency, accountability and fairness in its use and distribution are removed.     

Financial and economic factors affecting the lignite prices in Turkey: An analysis of Soma and Can lignites

Using a simultaneous equation econometric model based on yearly data between 1997 and 2006 for the Aegean Lignite Enterprise this study examines factors that affect the lignite price in Turkey. The Aegean Lignite Enterprise produces and sells the lignite of Soma and Can and their data reflect the general Turkish situation. The results suggest that (1) lignite prices sold to the industry increase (decrease) depending on the decrease (increase) in the industrial production and (2) total electricity production and electricity price are the most important factors that potential investors and related persons have to take into consideration for the pricing of lignite in the thermal power plant market.     

基于岩体质量指标Q分类系统的风险分析方法

基于岩体质量指标Q分类系统,应用Monte-Carlo模拟技术,研究了岩体质量风险分析方法。该方法视Q分类系统中各单因素取值为随机变量,建立了各单因素取值概率模型;通过对所建模型的抽样计算,可获取所评价岩体实际Q值小于设计所采用Q值的概率;通过对比分析Q值累计曲线和岩体质量分布图,可得到任意Q值对应的风险概率,查清岩体中可能出现的质量等级以及每个质量等级所占百分比的情况。本文研究成果已在青岛胶州湾海底隧道工程中得到应用,并获得良好效果。     

Is corporate social responsibility possible in the mining sector? Evidence from Catalan companies

This paper examines the role and diffusion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) management, especially in relation with the adoption of other management systems, in small and medium sized companies in the surface mining industry in Catalonia (Spain). Specifically, it identifies the most salient CSR practices, procedures and metrics and the profiles of companies more prone to adopt them. To fulfill this aim, a survey has been conducted. Results show that mining companies are familiar with CSR practices, but there is not much formalization of procedures and measurement systems of CSR yet. Results show that the majority of socially responsible practices are related to environmental issues and therefore there is a relation between CSR and the application of environmental management systems. The analysis reveals that the management of CSR activities improves with the diffusion of knowledge on CSR practices. A second survey collected the opinion of professional associations in the sector. Respondents indicate that an improvement in CSR management will lead to a better global competitive position.     

How can public–private partnerships contribute to security and human rights policy and practice in the extractive industries? A case study of The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Across sub-Saharan Africa, the presence of foreign large-scale mining companies is increasing. This is in part a result of depleting resources in countries such as Canada, United States and Australia, and in part from a more favorable national mine investment climate in several mineral-rich African countries. Their increased presence raises important questions around the potential role and function of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the sector. In post-conflict and/or fragile states, CSR has further implications for conflict and risk mitigation strategies to ensure the protection of human rights. One CSR approach increasingly being considered is the public–private partnership, whereby companies, public donors, and development agencies leverage their relationships for mutual benefit. There is merit in exploring its function in post-conflict fragile states, where socio-economic needs are high and the capacity of the state to respond to a variety of mine governance challenges is limited. Two case studies from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are presented, and their policy implications, discussed.     

Impact of different public E&P policies on natural gas reserves and production in Pakistan

Low wellhead domestic gas prices over the past few years have led to the beginning of a shortage in natural gas reserves and production in Pakistan. Gas demand steadily rises in all sectors for being an economical fuel as compare to substitutes. In the view of foregoing consumption trend, the demand for gas is expected to grow with a higher pace during the 2010s. On the contrary, indigenous gas reserves are running out and cannot keep up with the demand. This paper examines the extent of upstream activities in different petroleum policy regimes. The wellhead price for indigenous gas is compared with the prices of alternatives (for example, gas import prices). In order to put the problem in perspective, the relationship between wellhead gas price and cumulative gas reserves in Pakistan are analyzed and we find that the looming gas shortage can be ameliorated in the short-run and eliminated in the long-run through incentivized wellhead price. To put it briefly, the idea is mooted to first take advantage of huge domestic reserves to ensure competitive consumer prices for gas. The findings are applicable to several other economies with under-developed natural resources.