The early-stage diagnosis of albinic embryos by applying optical coherence tomography

Albinism is a kind of congenital disease of abnormal metabolism. Poecilia reticulata (guppy fish) is chosen as the model to study the development of albinic embryos as it is albinic, ovoviviparous and with short life period. This study proposed an imaging method for penetrative embryo investigation using optical coherence tomography. By imaging through guppy mother’s reproduction purse, we found the embryo’s eyes were the early-developed albinism features. As human’s ocular albinism typically appear at about four weeks old, it is the time to determine if an embryo will grow into an albino.     

Determination of the B1-B2 transition path in RbCl by Möbius pair potentials

Using Chen-Möbius lattice inversion, we derive the interionic pair potentials from pseudopotential total-energy curves of the RbCl polymorph. Based on the potentials, the B1-B2 transition pathways have been analysed by calculating the activation energy and saddle point at transition pressure. The intermediate structures along the transition path were obtained within the different symmetric restrictions. By comparing the four pathways under the different restricted conditions, the intermediate structures with space groups Cmcm and P2 1 / m were predicted to explain the B1-B2 phase transition in RbCl.     

高效液相色谱法同时测定生物质乳酸发酵液中有机酸及糖类化合物

建立了高效液相色谱(HPLC)同时测定生物质乳酸发酵液中有机酸及糖类的分析方法。使用Bio-Rad Aminex HPX-87H色谱柱,以5 mmol/L的H2SO4为流动相,在柱温55 ℃,流速0.6 mL/min条件下,采用示差折光检测器进行检测。结果表明,该方法可在17 min内实现发酵液中各种有机酸和糖类化合物等的完全分离与定量,6种有机酸和3种糖类化合物在0.15～5.19 g/L范围内的线性关系良好,回归方程的线性相关系数在0.9998以上。将该法用于米根霉发酵液的检测,两个水平的加标回收率为96.91%～103.11%,相对标准偏差(n=6)为0.81%～4.61%。该法适用于微生物发酵液中多种有机酸和糖类的快速、高效分离和定量测定。     

Solubility of methane in octane + ethanol at temperatures from 303.15 K to 333.15 K and pressures up to 12.01 MPa

Solubility of methane in octane + ethanol was measured at temperatures ranging from 303.15 K to 333.15 K and pressures ranging from 2.60 MPa to 12.01 MPa. Experimental data were analyzed using the Soave-Redlich-Kwong equation of state with three types of mixing rules, and the estimated average deviation from the experimental solubility data was less than 3.5 %.     

Evaluating impacts of fish stock enhancement and biodiversity conservation actions on the livelihoods of small‐scale fishers on the Beijiang River,China

Inappropriate development and overexploitation have seriously degraded aquatic resources in China. Stakeholders identified three fish stock enhancement and biodiversity conservation scenarios for the Beijiang River: S1, increased fish restocking; S2, no fishing season and habitat conservation; and S3, strict pollution control. Potential impacts of these actions on the livelihoods of fishers were evaluated using applied economic modeling. Baseline costs and benefits came from logbooks from 30 fishers and a survey of 90 households in three villages. The financial net benefit for a household was US$1583 (￥11,160) annually, representing a 142% and 387% return on capital and operating costs, respectively. Larger catches associated with S1 and S2 generated a net benefit of US$1651 and US$1822, respectively. Strict pollution control resulting in higher catches (+20%) and lower operating costs (?20%) would increase the net benefit by 15.9% to US$1835 annually. Pollution control would benefit other resource users and is a prerequisite for ecological restoration. Recommendations for Resource Managers

• Stringent pollution control measures are essential to conserve aquatic biodiversity and enhance the livelihoods of fishers but will require considerable public and private sector investment.
• Enhanced fish stocks in the Beijiang River could benefit poor livelihoods but may not be sufficient to lift households out of poverty, aged fishers require government assistance to diversify their livelihoods, access alternative urban employment, and survive with dignity.
• Adopting the economic modeling approach presented here could enable responsible authorities to simultaneously evaluate fish stock enhancement and biodiversity conservation options.
• Broader application of the approach presented here could help ensure small‐scale inland fisheries are managed sustainably and aquatic ecosystems are restored and protected by 2020, in line with Target 6 of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.

     

Comparative XPS study between experimentally and naturally weathered pyrites

A comparative study has been carried out between experimentally and naturally weathered pyrites. Both were found to share similar species of weathering products and a similar weathering mechanism. The weathering products could be divided into sulphur-bearing or iron-bearing groups. The sulphur-bearing group was comprised of sulphate, sulphite, thiosulphate, elemental sulphur, polysulphide, and mono-sulphide. The iron-bearing group was comprised of goethite, hematite or magnetite, and iron sulphate. The weathering structural profile was also similar for both types of weathering, being composed of a surficial layer and a transitional layer. The surficial layer was made up of both the sulphur-bearing and the iron-bearing products, while the transitional layer was comprised of goethite, and hematite or magnetite. The inward migration of the weathering interface was stimulated by the diffusion of oxygen and moisture. The oxygen was considered to preferably squeeze the iron to form goethite, and the ferric ions of goethite to have acted as a bridge for electron transfer between the oxygen and bulk S₂²⁻ and Fe²⁺ of pyrite.