Coordination polymers of Ln(III): Synthesis, characterization, catalytic and antimicrobial aspects

Coordination polymers of HEAP-ED with La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) metal ions have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibilities, FTIR, NMR, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analyses. Catalytic activity of selected coordination polymers was examined for pharmaceutical important organic synthesis. Antimicrobial activity of isolated Ln(III) coordination polymers against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) were measured. It was observed from the study that the Ln(III) coordination polymers acted as an efficient and effective catalysts and antimicrobial agents.     

7. Global support and coordination: conserving germplasm of world crop species and their relatives

The awareness of the importance of plant biodiversity has been considerably raised in both developed and developing countries over the last decade. Some of the debate has not been helpful in fostering collaboration or progress towards a more rational support network. The paper attempts to identify and categorize existing efforts in operation in a wide range of institutions and bodies ranging from essentially environmentally orientated to crop-based organizations. Current funding and training initiatives are discussed.     

Mating type differentiation in tetrahymena thermophila: Characterization of the delayed refeeding effect and its implications concerning intranuclear coordination

Mating type determination in Tetrahymena thermophila involves developmentally programmed, heritable alterations of the macronucleus, localized to the mtd locus. This determination can be predictably controlled by the environmental conditions during macronuclear development, eg, temperature and time of refeeding. In this article we have further characterized the effects of delayed refeeding on mating type determination, as revealed by the frequency of mating types among the progeny of a cross. Our results show that 1) the magnitude of this starvation effect decreases with temperature of conjugation and becomes undetectable at 18°C; 2) starvation during the interval 14 to 22 hr (after conjugation is induced at 30°C) is a necessary and sufficient condition for the induction of starvation effects; 3) relative mating type frequencies vary monotonically with nutrient concentration present during this critical period; and 4) sister macronuclei, developing under starvation conditions in the same cytoplasm, differentiate majority mating types characteristic of early or late refeeding; sister macronuclei show no apparent correlation with each other. On the basis of our observations on early and late refed cells, we propose that the composition of the newly developed macronucleus is the outcome of two key events: 1) mating type determination at the mtd locus and 2) differential molecular cloning of generally one or two autonomously replicating fragments (ARFs) of the macronuclear DNA bearing the mtd locus.     

长三角城市群城市洪涝韧性与生态系统服务的耦合协调关系

厘清城市洪涝韧性与生态系统服务之间耦合协调关系,可为城市防洪减灾和生态文明建设提供重要决策参考。综合运用基于麻雀算法的投影寻踪模型、InVEST模型和耦合协调度模型,在分析2000-2020年长三角城市群的城市洪涝韧性与水源涵养、水质净化、土壤保持和气候调节四种生态系统服务时空格局基础上,尝试探索两者耦合协调关系及其时空演变特征。研究发现:(1)长三角城市群的城市洪涝韧性水平呈现"N"型增加趋势,并呈现"上海>江苏>浙江>安徽"的空间格局,表明经济水平越高的城市展现出更强的洪涝韧性,经济是影响城市洪涝韧性波动的主要因素,而自然韧性成为城市洪涝韧性提升的关键短板;(2)生态系统服务存在显著的空间异质性,高植被覆盖的南部地区提供了更高的生态系统服务,从时间维度看其空间分布是稳定的,水源涵养和水质净化服务总体呈向好趋势,土壤保持服务整体呈现倒"N"型增加,气候调节服务呈现微弱的下降趋势;(3)城市洪涝韧性与生态系统服务的耦合协调度在研究期内较为稳定,且与生态系统服务的时空变化趋于一致,呈现"南高北低、由西南向东北逐渐减弱"的趋势,生态系统服务较高的城市,表现出更好的耦合协调性,且随着生态系统服务的增加而改善。因此,长三角城市群有必要从提高生态系统服务功能的角度出发,因地制宜、分类施策,促进城市洪涝韧性与生态系统服务的协调发展。     

生态系统服务功能与景观格局耦合协调度研究——以武陵山区退耕还林工程为例

生态系统服务功能与景观格局演变关系极为密切,研究生态系统服务功能与景观格局的耦合协调度对于区域发展具有重要意义。以武陵山区退耕还林工程为例,参照国家标准和行业标准,采用分布式测算方法、景观格局指数分析和耦合协调度模型等方法,旨在揭示武陵山区退耕还林工程生态系统服务功能与景观格局二者耦合协调关系。结果表明:(1)2005—2017年间武陵山区退耕还林工程各项生态服务功能物质量均以15倍左右速度增长,生态系统服务空间分布格局最佳区域由西部地区逐渐向东南扩大;(2)武陵山区景观演变存在时空差异,1995—2005年景观格局变化更为明显,变化区域集中在中西部地区,2005—2015年与之相比,景观格局变化空间上更为分散;(3)武陵山区退耕还林工程生态系统服务与景观格局演变存在较高水平的耦合以及高水平的协调性。研究结果可为武陵山区土地利用规划及退耕还林工程进一步实施提供科学依据。     

Topoisomerase II poisoning by indazole and imidazole complexes of ruthenium

Trans-imidazolium (bis imidazole) tetrachloro ruthenate (RuIm) and trans-indazolium (bis indazole) tetrachloro ruthenate (RuInd) are ruthenium coordination complexes, which were first synthesized and exploited for their anticancer activity. These molecules constitute two of the few most effective anticancer ruthenium compounds. The clinical use of these compounds however was hindered due to toxic side effects on the human body. Our present study on topoisomerase II poisoning by these compounds shows that they effectively poison the activity of topoisomerase II by forming a ternary cleavage complex of DNA, drug and topoisomerase II. The thymidine incorporation assays show that the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation correlates with topoisomerase II poisoning. The present study on topoisomerase II poisoning by these two compounds opens a new avenue for renewing further research on these compounds. This is because they could be effective lead candidates for the development of more potent and less toxic ruthenium containing topoisomerase II poisons. Specificity of action on this molecular target may reduce the toxic effects of these ruthenium-containing molecules and thus improve their therapeutic index.     

京津冀城市群区域产业协同的政策格局及评价

产业协同发展是京津冀区域协同发展的三个重点领域之一,科学合理的产业协同政策是加快实现这一发展目标的重要保障。通过对京津冀城市群区域产业协同政策事件的系统梳理,从区域、省际和城际3个尺度解读了产业协同政策的格局及其演进过程,并从新区域主义的管治视角进行了评价。研究认为:(1)京津冀产业协同发展进入了快速发展的机遇期,协同政策极大地推动了区域内跨地产业合作和城市间产业联系,有助于提高城市群整体竞争力;(2)不同空间尺度的产业协同政策关注的重点、发展的方向、演化的特征不同,当前城市间的产业协同政策与区域协同发展目标的关系不明确,产业协同对生态环境的改善尚不显著,亟需加强研究和统筹协调;(3)受城市行政区等级关系和竞争关系的影响,京津冀产业协同政策与市场调节无法实现高度契合统一,与新区域主义的管治理念并不相符,影响科学合理协同政策的制定与实施。研究对当前京津冀区域产业协同发展推进及其政策制定有重要的参考意义。     

Cu(II) ion interaction with teicoplanin-vancomycin’s analog

Teicoplanin, a member of the “last chance” antibiotic family has a similar structure and the same mechanism of action as parent drug vancomycin, which is proved to be an effective binder of Cu(II) ions. However, the potentiometric and spectroscopic studies (UV-visible, CD, NMR) have shown that the modification of the N-terminal structure of the peptide backbone in teicoplanin affects considerably the binding ability towards Cu(II) ions. While vancomycin forms almost instantly the stable 3 N complex species involving the N-terminal and two amide nitrogen donors, in case of teicoplanin only two nitrogen donors derived from the N-terminal amino group and adjacent peptide bond are coordinated to Cu(II) ion within the whole pH range studied. The major factor influencing the binding mode is most likely the structure of the N-terminus of the peptide unit in the antibiotic ligand.     

Engineering Local Coordination Environments of Atomically Dispersed and Heteroatom‐Coordinated Single Metal Site Electrocatalysts for Clean Energy‐Conversion

Carbon‐based heteroatom‐coordinated single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates for energy‐related electrocatalysts because of their low‐cost, tunable catalytic activity/selectivity, and relatively homogeneous morphologies. Unique interactions between single metal sites and their surrounding coordination environments play a significant role in modulating the electronic structure of the metal centers, leading to unusual scaling relationships, new reaction mechanisms, and improved catalytic performance. This review summarizes recent advancements in engineering of the local coordination environment of SACs for improved electrocatalytic performance for several crucial energy‐convention electrochemical reactions: oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, CO₂ reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction. Various engineering strategies including heteroatom‐doping, changing the location of SACs on their support, introducing external ligands, and constructing dual metal sites are comprehensively discussed. The controllable synthetic methods and the activity enhancement mechanism of state‐of‐the‐art SACs are also highlighted. Recent achievements in the electronic modification of SACs will provide an understanding of the structure–activity relationship for the rational design of advanced electrocatalysts.