A multiplex assay to identify 18 European mammal species from mixtures using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene

A novel species-specific multiplex to identify 18 common European mammalian species (badger, cat, cow, dog, donkey, fox, goat, guinea pig, harvest mouse, hedgehog, horse, house mouse, human, pig, rabbit, rat, red deer and sheep), many of which are often associated with forensic investigations, has been developed. The assay is based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which is commonly used in species identification and phylogeny studies. Areas of homology and variation were identified and were used to create universal and species-specific primers. The species-specific primers were designed such that they will only react with the species for which they were designed. Two primer sets were designed for each species making the test self-confirmatory. All primer sets produced the expected results. The multiplex was balanced at template concentration of 40 000 copies (approximately 1.36 pg). Validation was accomplished by analysing the same sample ten times to determine run variation and several samples for each species to determine between-sample variation. Twenty-eight additional mammalian species were reacted with the multiplex. The multiplex provides, for the first time, a definitive method for identification of species in a forensic context.     

重金属污染土壤修复技术研究进展

概述了土壤重金属污染的特点、现状及污染的来源,主要从工程措施、农业措施、改良措施和生物修复措施四方面对国内外各种修复技术进行分析与评论,指出各类措施的原理、优缺点、实用性。同时,提出了当前土壤重金属污染与修复技术研究的重点。     

夏季学期化学科普类实验课程的建设与探索

结合中国科学技术大学的三学期改制,在夏季学期面向全校非化学专业的低年级本科生开设生活中的化学科普实验公选课程。本文将从课程目标、课程内容、课程特色三方面进行介绍。该课程的开设为非化学专业学生提供了一个通过化学实验学习化学的机会,有利于开拓学生知识面,实现学科交融、文理渗透。     

Thermoelectricity Generation and Electron–Magnon Scattering in a Natural Chalcopyrite Mineral from a Deep‐Sea Hydrothermal Vent

Current high‐performance thermoelectric materials require elaborate doping and synthesis procedures, particularly in regard to the artificial structure, and the underlying thermoelectric mechanisms are still poorly understood. Here, we report that a natural chalcopyrite mineral, Cu_1+xFe_1?xS₂, obtained from a deep‐sea hydrothermal vent can directly generate thermoelectricity. The resistivity displayed an excellent semiconducting character, and a large thermoelectric power and high power factor were found in the low x region. Notably, electron–magnon scattering and a large effective mass was detected in this region, thus suggesting that the strong coupling of doped carriers and antiferromagnetic spins resulted in the natural enhancement of thermoelectric properties during mineralization reactions. The present findings demonstrate the feasibility of thermoelectric energy generation and electron/hole carrier modulation with natural materials that are abundant in the Earth’s crust.     

Growth of InGaAs-capped InAs quantum dots characterized by Atomic Force Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is typically used to measure the quantum dot shape and density formed by lattice mismatched epitaxial growth such as InAs on GaAs. However, AFM images are distorted when two dots are situated in juxtaposition with a distance less than the AFM tip width. Scanning electron Microscope (SEM) is much better in distinguishing the dot density but not the dot height. Through these measurements of the growth of In_xGa_1-xAs cap layer on InAs quantum dots, it was observed that the InGaAs layer neither covered the InAs quantum dots and wetting layer uniformly nor 100% phase separates into InAs and GaAs grown on InAs quantum dots and wetting layer, respectively.     

基于Web的科技类学报传播管理实证研究

结合高校科技类学报的综合性和机构的特点，搭建了基于Web的科技类学报传播管理结构，剖析了传播管理过程中各环节的关键因素以及对编辑素质的基本要求，并进一步提出了科技类学报传播管理网络组建技术的集成策略和管理应注意的问题，有益于促进科技类学报传播的技术进步．     

Duality in physical sciences and beyond

An extended meaning of duality is suggested in the context of development of major themes in physical sciences since Newton. In such a generalization,five distinct aspects of duality are sought to be identified and illustrated through concrete examples drawn from various physical concepts, old and new. These are (i) reciprocity, (ii) parallelism, (iii) alternative formulation, (iv) unification and (v) measurement incompatibility. Bohr’s view of duality and the Copenhagen Interpretation are discussed briefly in this context. Finally, duality aspects beyond physics are briefly touched upon, the philosophical link being provided by Bohr’s Complementarity Principle on the one hand, and recent attempts (notably by Capra) to draw suggestive parallels between modern science and Eastern mysticism on the other. “Be in truth eternal, beyond earthly opposites”—Bhagwat Gita. The author felicitates Prof. D S Kothari on his eightieth birthday and dedicate this paper to him on this occasion.