Removal of perfluorooctane sulfonate from aqueous solution by crosslinked chitosan beads: sorption kinetics and uptake mechanism

The crosslinked chitosan beads were used as an efficient biosorbent to remove perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) from aqueous solution. The chitosan biosorbent had a sorption capacity up to 5.5 mmol/g for PFOS at the equilibrium concentration of 0.33 mmol/L, much higher than some conventional adsorbents. The sorption kinetics indicated that the sorption equilibrium was reached quickly at high pH and low PFOS concentrations, and the adsorbent size also affected the sorption rate to some extent. The double-exponential model described the kinetic data well, and the sorption of PFOS on the chitosan beads was a diffusion-controlled process. Based on the sorption kinetics and adsorbent characterization, the uptake mechanisms including electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions were identified to be responsible for PFOS sorption, and the hemi-micelles and micelles may form in the porous structure due to high PFOS concentrations within the adsorbent, which had the main contribution to the high sorption capacity.     

Antioxidant activity of a new C-glycosylflavone from the leaves of Ficus microcarpa

By bioactive-guided fractionation of methanol extract of the Ficus microcarpa leaves, one new C-glucosylflavone, ficuflavoside (1), one new megastigmane glycoside, ficumegasoside (8), and twelve known compounds including flavonoids (2-6), phenylpropanoids (7), megastigmanes (9-11) and sterol derivatives (12-14) were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopies. The antioxidant activities of these compounds were measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity methods. Compounds 1-6 exhibited potent antioxidant activities of 6.6-9.5 μM Trolox equivalents at the concentration of 2.0 μM. The results indicated 2, 3, and 5 having meaningful reducing capacity of copper (I) ions concentration of 6.1-8.4 μM.     

植被生化组分光谱模型抗土壤背景的能力

应用LOPEX'93(Leaf Optical Properties Experiment)数据,分析了统计回归模型在进行植被叶绿素和水分反演中抗土壤背景影响的能力,模型参数分别使用了:反射率及其变化形式、光谱位置变量、植被指数。在LOPEX'93数据库的植被波谱中分别加入10%—90%的实测土壤光谱信息,得到植被与土壤的混合光谱,并分析混合光谱对植被生化组分的响应。结果表明:应用反射率及其变化形式进行植被叶绿素反演时,以730nm和400nm组合的反射率和反射率倒数的对数为参数的模型具有最高的抗土壤背景能力,在土壤背景所占比例从低到高的变化过程中,以二者反射率组合为参数的模型与叶绿素的相关系数,始终保持在0.645附近,以二者反射率倒数的对数为参数的模型与植被叶绿素的相关系数保持在0.650附近;应用反射率及其变化形式进行植被含水量反演时,以1100,1170,1000,1040,1080nm组合的反射率为参数的模型以及以1170,960,1210,1090,1080,950,1220,1210nm反射率倒数的对数组合为参数的模型具有较高的稳定性,在土壤组分变化的过程中,以上模型与植被含水量的相关系数均稳定...     

Impact of road construction on giant panda’s habitat and its carrying capacity in Qinling Mountains

The Qinling giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an endangered endemic species to China. Despite ongoing efforts to ensure its conservation, concerns about maintaining its populations persist. We used GIS fed with data on land use including road network of 2001, third national giant panda survey, and a digital elevation model (DEM) to assess the impact of road construction on giant panda habitat, and estimate the carrying capacity of the Qinling Mountain area. We assessed habitat suitability with a mechanistic model, and conducted correlation analysis to evaluate relationship between the extent of giant panda habitat and amount of sites occupied by pandas within of 5 km × 5 km grid. We also estimated the carrying capacity of the Qinling Mountainous Area.
Our results revealed a significant correlation (R² = 0.447, P < 0.01) between the number of sites with signs left by giant panda and the extent of habitat within of 5 km × 5 km grid. The minimum habitat area that can support one panda was 10 km². Before the road network construction, the area of habitat suitable for the panda amounted about 1561 km² and that of marginally suitable habitat about 1499 km². The corresponding carrying capacity represented about 240 individuals. After the road network construction, the suitable habitat area was reduced by nearly 30% to 1093 km². Marginally suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat have both increased by 17% and 1%, respectively. As a result, the potential population size which the habitat could support was reduced to 217 individuals. The study results also suggested that most impacts on habitat from road construction took place in the high elevation areas above 1500 m. However, regarding the impact on the giant panda habitat, road networks developed much more inside the current nature reserves than outside of them.     

基于RS和转移矩阵的泾河流域生态承载力时空动态评价

利用泾河流域1986、1995、2000、2008年4期遥感数据和转移矩阵分析方法,在GIS平台上,对该流域近23a的生态承载力时空变化进行了定量评价和空间化表达,结果表明,泾河流域生态承载力空间分布极不均匀,整体呈南高北低,并由东南向西北递减,由上游向下游递增的空间变化趋势,表现出与流域地貌特征,土地利用/覆被和环境禀赋相关联的地理特性和空间异质性;随着时间的推移,全流域生态承载力呈逐年降低趋势,尤其以2000年以后下降趋势明显,但流域内部不同区域的生态承载力及其各类土地生态承载力的变化幅度与趋势各有不同;3个时段内(1986-1995年、1995-2000年、2000-2008年)流域各类土地生态承载力转换频繁,转向趋势明显,且以2000年为拐点,前两时段以林地和草地生态承载力向耕地和建筑用地生态承载力转移为主,后一时段以耕地和建筑用地生态承载力向林地和草地生态承载力转移为主,导致近23a来泾河流域生态承载力及其内部组成变化均较大,说明土地利用/覆被的变化是流域生态承载力变化的主导因素,而1999年以后国家实施的退耕还林还草生态工程则是2000-2008年该流域生态承载力变化的主要驱动力。     

近30年官厅水库流域景观结构的时空演变

以官厅水库流域为研究区,以1978-2009年的6期Landsat系列遥感影像为基础数据解译景观分布图.利用经济学中的洛伦兹曲线及基尼系数对景观类型分布的均匀性及其动态进行分析,采用缓中区分析方法对现有方法进行改进,使得洛伦兹曲线更加平滑,基尼系数更加准确.结果表明:各种景观类型分布的均匀性存在明显的时空差异,耕地始终是分布最均匀的景观类型,1978-1998年人工林地是分布最不均匀的景观类型,2004年以后天然草地成为分布最不均匀的景观类型;景观类型分布的均匀程度与该景观类型面积的大小存在负相关关系,其分布均匀性的变化与该景观类型面积的变化方式有关,局部变化还是全局变化会使该景观类型分布的均匀性向不同的方向发展;在近30年的时间里,自然景观全面退化,表现在面积减小和分布越来越不均匀,自然景观不断被人工景观取代.     

Structural and thermodynamic insights into the assembly of the heteromeric pyridoxal phosphate synthase from Plasmodium falciparum

Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) is required as a cofactor by many enzymes. The predominant de novo biosynthetic route is catalyzed by a heteromeric glutamine amidotransferase consisting of the synthase subunit Pdx1 and the glutaminase subunit Pdx2. Previously, Bacillus subtilis PLP synthase was studied by X-ray crystallography and complex assembly had been characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry. The fully assembled PLP synthase complex contains 12 individual Pdx1/Pdx2 glutamine amidotransferase heterodimers. These studies revealed the occurrence of an encounter complex that is tightened in the Michaelis complex when the substrate l-glutamine binds. In this study, we have characterized complex formation of PLP synthase from the malaria-causing human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum using isothermal titration calorimetry. The presence of l-glutamine increases the tightness of the interaction about 30-fold and alters the thermodynamic signature of complex formation. The thermodynamic data are integrated in a 3D homology model of P. falciparum PLP synthase. The negative experimental heat capacity (C_p) describes a protein interface that is dominated by hydrophobic interactions. In the absence of l-glutamine, the experimental C_p is less negative than in its presence, contrasting to the previously characterised bacterial PLP synthase. Thus, while the encounter complexes differ, the Michaelis complexes of plasmodial and bacterial systems have similar characteristics concerning the relative contribution of apolar/polar surface area. In addition, we have verified the role of the N-terminal region of PfPdx1 for complex formation. A “swap mutant” in which the complete αN-helix of plasmodial Pdx1 was exchanged with the corresponding segment from B. subtilis shows cross-binding to B. subtilis Pdx2. The swap mutant also partially elicits glutaminase activity in BsPdx2, demonstrating that formation of the protein complex interface via αN and catalytic activation of the glutaminase are linked processes.     

Bile acid interactions with rabbit ileal lipid binding protein and an engineered helixless variant reveal novel ligand binding properties of a versatile beta-clam shell protein scaffold

The intracellular ileal lipid binding proteins (ILBPs) are involved in the transport and enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. ILBPs from different species show high sequence and structural homology and have been shown to bind multiple bile acid ligands with differing degrees of selectivity and positive co-operativity. Human ILBP binds bile acid derivatives in a well-characterised 2:1 ligand:protein complex, however, we show that the highly homologous rabbit ILBP (82% sequence identity) with seven conservative substitutions preferentially binds multiple conjugated deoxycholate ligands in a novel 3:1 binding mode essentially within the same beta-clam shell structure. We have extended these studies to investigate the role of the alpha-helical capping motif (residues 9-35) in controlling the dimensions of the binding cavity and ligand uptake. Substituting the alpha-helical motif (residues 9-35) with a short Gly-Gly-Ser-Gly linker dramatically affects the protein stability such that under physiological conditions the mutant (Deltaalpha-ILBP) is highly disordered. However, we show that the inability of the mutant to adopt a stable three-dimensional structure under these conditions is no barrier to binding ligands with near-native affinity. These structural modifications not only demonstrate the possibility of strong coupling between ligand binding and protein folding, but result in changes in bile acid selectivity and binding stoichiometry, which we characterise in detail using isothermal calorimetry and mass spectrometry.     

When is evolutionary branching in predator-prey systems possible with an explicit carrying capacity?

In this study we use the theory of adaptive dynamics firstly to explore the differences in evolutionary behaviour of a generalist predator (or more specifically an omnivorous or intraguild predator) in a predator-prey model, with a Holling Type II functional response, when two distinct forms for the carrying capacity are used. The first of these involves the carrying capacity as an emergent property, whilst in the second it appears explicitly in the dynamics. The resultant effect this has on the intraspecific competition in each case is compared. Taking an identical trade-off in each case, we find that only with an emergent carrying capacity is evolutionary branching possible. Our study then concentrates solely on the case where the carrying capacity appears explicitly. Using the same model as above, but choosing alternate trade-offs, we find branching can occur with an explicit carrying capacity. Our investigation finishes by taking a more general functional response in an attempt to derive a condition for when branching can or cannot occur. For a predator-prey model, branching cannot occur if the functional response can be separated into two components, one a function of the population densities, X and Z, and the other a function of the evolving parameter z (traded off against the intrinsic growth rate), i.e. if F(z,X,Z) = F(1)(z)F(2)(X,Z). This search for evolutionary branching is motivated by its possible role in speciation.     

The root–soil system of Norway spruce subjected to turning moment: resistance as a function of rotation

The reactions of trees to wind, rockfall, and snow and debris flow depend largely on how strong and deformable their anchorage in the soil is. Here, the resistive turning moment M of the root–soil system as a function of the rotation ϕ at the stem base plays the major role. M(ϕ) describes the behavior of the root–soil system when subject to rotational moment, with the maximum M(ϕ) indicating the anchorage strength M _a of the tree. We assessed M(ϕ) of 66 Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) by pulling them over with a winch. These 45- to 170-year-old trees grew at sites of low and high elevation, with a diameter at breast height DBH = 14–69 cm and a height H = 9–42 m. M(ϕ) displayed a strong nonlinear behavior. M _a was reached at a lower ϕ for large trees than for small trees. Thus overhanging tree weight contributed less to M _a for the large trees. Overturning also occurred at a lower ϕ for the large trees. These observations show that the rotational ductility of the root–soil system is higher for small trees. M _a could be described by four monovariate linear regression equations of tree weight, stem weight, stem volume and DBH ² ·H (0.80 < R ² < 0.95), and ϕ at M _a, ϕ _a, by a power law of DBH²·H (R ² = 0.85). We found significantly higher M _a for the low-elevation spruces than for the high-elevation spruces, which were more shallowly anchored, but no significant difference in ϕ _a. The 66 curves of M(ϕ), normalized (_n) by M _a in M-direction and by ϕ _a in ϕ-direction, yielded one characteristic average curve: . Using and the predictions of M _a and ϕ _a, it is shown that M(ϕ) and the curves associated with M(ϕ) can be predicted with a relative standard error ≤25%. The parameterization of M(ϕ) by tree size and weight is novel and provides useful information for predicting with finite-element computer models how trees will react to natural hazards.