Aquatic resource conservation - The first Yangtze finless porpoise successfully born in captivity

Background. As the sole freshwater subspecies of finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), the Yangtze finless porpoise (N. p. asiaeorientalis) lives only in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and its appended Poyang and Dongting Lakes. As a result of human activity on the river, including over and illegal fishing, pollution, transportation and dam construction, the population of Yangtze finless porpoises has been steadily and rapidly decreasing during the past several decades, which leads the animal to be endangered. Methods. For saving this unique animal from extinction, three corresponding measures, in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, and intensifying breeding research in captivity, were proposed and have been implemented since the 1980s. Results. After successfully rearing the animals in captivity for almost nine years, the first Yangtze finless porpoise was successfully born in captivity on July 5, 2005. The calf is male, with a body length of 69 cm. This is the first freshwater cetacean ever born in captivity. Conclusion. The successful birth of this calf confirms that it is possible to breed the Yangtze finless porpoise in captivity. Furthermore, this will greatly benefit the conservation efforts, and also greatly bolster our on-going efforts to study the reproductive biology of these animals. Recommendation. More studies and efforts are expected to establish a sustainable, captive colony of the Yangtze finless porpoise, which will not only greatly expand our knowledge about the reproduction biology of this animal, but also help to redeem the wild population through a careful yearly 'soft releasing' process.

Carbon nanotube forests growth using catalysts from atomic layer deposition

We have grown carbon nanotubes using Fe and Ni catalyst films deposited by atomic layer deposition. Both metals lead to catalytically active nanoparticles for growing vertically aligned nanotube forests or carbon fibres, depending on the growth conditions and whether the substrate is alumina or silica. The resulting nanotubes have narrow diameter and wall number distributions that are as narrow as those grown from sputtered catalysts. The state of the catalyst is studied by in-situ and ex-situ X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. We demonstrate multi-directional nanotube growth on a porous alumina foam coated with Fe prepared by atomic layer deposition. This deposition technique can be useful for nanotube applications in microelectronics, filter technology, and energy storage. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Low-temperature growth of InN by MOCVD and its characterization

Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition growth of InN on sapphire substrate has been investigated between 400 degrees C and 500 degrees C to seek the growth condition of InN buffer layer, i.e. the first step of realization of the two-step growth method. Ex situ characterization of the epilayers by means of atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, coupled with in situ reflectance curves, has revealed different growth circumstances at these temperatures, and conclusion has been reached that the most suitable temperature for buffer growth is around 450 degrees C. In addition, the growth rate of InN at the optimized temperature with regard to different precursor flow rates is studied at length. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth and structural properties of GaN films on flat and vicinal SiC(0001) substrates

Initial stage GaN growth by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) on SiC(0001) substrate is followed by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. Comparison is made between growth on nominally flat and vicinal substrate surfaces and the results reveal characteristic differences between the two. Ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) rocking curve measurements of the films show lower density of defects and better structural quality of the vicinal film. We suggest the improved structural quality of the vicinal film is related to the characteristic difference in its initial stage nucleation and coalescence proccsses than that of the flat film.

High phosphorous doping and morphological evolution during Si growth by gas source molecular beam epitaxy (GSMBE)

Uniform and high phosphorous doping has been demonstrated during Si growth by GSMBE using disilane and phosphine. The p-n diodes, which consist of a n-Si layer and a p-SiGe layer grown on Si substrate, show a normal I-V characteristic. A roughening transition during P-doped Si growth is found. Ex situ SEM results show that thinner film is specular. When the film becomes thicker, there are small pits of different sizes randomly distributed on the flat surface. The average pit size increases, the pit density decreases, and the size distribution is narrower for even thicker film. No extended defects are found at the substrate interface or in the epilayer. Possible causes for the morphological evolution are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Gas source molecular beam epitaxy and thermal stability of Si1-xGex/Si superlattice materials

Gas source molecular beam epitaxy has been used to grow Si1-xGex alloys and Si1-xGex/Si multi-quantum wells (MQWs) on (100) Si substrates with Si2H6 and GeH4 as sources. Heterostructures and MQWs with mirror-like surface morphology, good crystalline qualify, and abrupt interfaces have been studied by a variety of in situ and ex situ techniques. The structural stability and strain relaxation in Si1-xGex/Si heterostructures have been investigated, and compared to that in the As ion-implanted Si1-xGex epilayers. The results show that the strain relaxation mechanism of the non-implanted Si1-xGex epilayers is different from that of the As ion-implanted Si1-xGex epilayers.

Growth and structural properties of GaN films on flat and vicinal SiC(0001) substrates

Initial stage GaN growth by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) on SiC(0001) substrate is followed by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. Comparison is made between growth on nominally flat and vicinal substrate surfaces and the results reveal characteristic differences between the two. Ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) rocking curve measurements of the films show lower density of defects and better structural quality of the vicinal film. We suggest the improved structural quality of the vicinal film is related to the characteristic difference in its initial stage nucleation and coalescence proccsses than that of the flat film.

Gas source molecular beam epitaxy and thermal stability of Si1-xGex/Si superlattice materials

Gas source molecular beam epitaxy has been used to grow Si1-xGex alloys and Si1-xGex/Si multi-quantum wells (MQWs) on (100) Si substrates with Si2H6 and GeH4 as sources. Heterostructures and MQWs with mirror-like surface morphology, good crystalline qualify, and abrupt interfaces have been studied by a variety of in situ and ex situ techniques. The structural stability and strain relaxation in Si1-xGex/Si heterostructures have been investigated, and compared to that in the As ion-implanted Si1-xGex epilayers. The results show that the strain relaxation mechanism of the non-implanted Si1-xGex epilayers is different from that of the As ion-implanted Si1-xGex epilayers.

圈养大熊猫遗传结构研究

大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)是我国特有的濒危野生动物之一，迁地保护已经成为大熊猫物种保护的一个重要方面。当前大熊猫圈养种群数量增长很快，但是其“多雄配一雌”的交配（配种方式），以及生产过程中记录遗失等原因，造成圈养种群普遍存在亲子关系不清、谱系混乱等问题。为了加强遗传管理，有必要进行亲子关系鉴定、完善谱系；还需要检测种群的基因多样性水平，并在此基础上提出相应的遗传管理建议。 本研究应用9个具有高度多态性的大熊猫微卫星标记，对来自成都大熊猫繁育研究基地2006和2007年度出生的17只大熊猫幼崽及其全部候选父母共37个样品做了基因型分析；然后应用最大似然法，判断幼崽的父－子关系。同时，还对来自卧龙大熊猫保护研究中心的31只大熊猫个体也做了基因分型。将两个种群的数据进行比较：1）等位基因多样性和杂合度水平；2）通过F统计法，分析两个种群的遗传分化水平；3）通过遗传距离法，对所有个体进行聚类分析。 研究结果表明： 1）在母子关系不清的情况下，9个微卫星标记联合的父亲鉴定排除概率E为0.940090；而在母子关系确实的条件下，E= 0.993933。由于本研究中所有后代的母亲都是清楚的，因此这9个微卫星位点能够有效用于圈养大熊猫的亲子鉴定。似然法分析也表明，本研究所获得的亲子鉴定结果置信度在95％以上。 2）2005年种源交换后，成都大熊猫的等位基因多样性和杂合度水平都略高于卧龙种群（但没有达到显著水平），两个种群间的遗传分化水平也有所降低。但是，与卧龙相比，成都种群面临较大的近交压力。 基于以上研究结果，我们建议：进一步加强种源交换和基因交流，把两个种群当作一个遗传单元(MU)来进行管理。 Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the endangerd wildlife endemic to China, and the ex-situ breeding become more and more important for the conservation of this speices. Although the captive population is expanding rapidly, the uncertainty occurs because the paternities of cubs are not clear due to the breeding pattern of “multiple male to single female,”as well as the records lost, resulting in errors in the studbook. For this reason, the paternity of the cubs and the genetic diversity of the captive giant pandas should be tested carefully to get information for the genetic management in the future. 9 polymorphism microsatellite markers were used to do paternity assignment for the 17 cubs born in 2006 and 2007 from Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding (CGB) based on the maximum-likelihood methods. A total of 37 individuals were sampled, including all the candidate dams and sires. These samples were also used for comparing with 31 individuals sampling from Wolong China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda (WCG). The comparing indexes were: 1) Allelic diversity and heterozygosity; 2) Genetic differentiation based on F-statistic; 3) Cluster analysis based on genetic distance. The results show that: 1) If the mother is unkown, the combined exclusion probability using these 9 loci is 0.940090. If the mother is known then the exclusion probability is 0.993933. Since the dam-offspring relationship is known in captive populations, the results could resolve unknown paternities in the study. And the confidence level of the results is 95% based on the likelihood methods. 2) The allelic diversity and the heterozygosity of CGB were higher than WCG (n ot significant), and the genetic differentiation was reduced a little since the genetic exchange between two populations in 2005. However, the population of CGB will be threatening by inbreeding seriously than that of WCG. From above, we suggest to reiforce the genetic exchange and geneflow between CGB and WCG, and these two populations should be regarded as one genetic management unit (MU).

垃圾渗滤液场外硝化－原位反硝化脱氮协同填埋场温室气体减排

垃圾卫生填埋是国内外城市垃圾的主要处置方法。垃圾渗滤液是渗入填埋场垃圾的降水混合垃圾降解过程中产生的物质而形成的混合物，是垃圾填埋场向环境排放的主要污染物。渗滤液由于其所含高浓度有机和无机污染物，且其中很多物质有生物毒性或难生物降解，难于治理。特别是到填埋晚期，渗滤液中高浓度的氨氮更是增加了治理的难度。渗滤液场外硝化－原位反硝化是填埋场氮管理的新途径。本文利用从环境中筛选出优势硝化功能菌对渗滤液中的高浓度氨氮进行生物硝化，经硝化后的渗滤液回灌至以垃圾柱模拟的生物反应器填埋场，在填埋场内实现原位反硝化。 上述目标通过以下两部分来实现： 第一部分：渗滤液场外硝化。首先从污水厂的硝化污泥中富集并筛选出硝化功能菌，在模拟氨氮废水中优化。将驯化的硝化功能菌接种于连续式完全混合反应器（CSTR）进行高氨氮渗滤液硝化研究。在200余天的连续运行中，反应器硝化和有机物去除效果良好。在最大氨氮负荷和有机物负荷分别为0.65 g N l-1 d-1 和3.84 g COD l-1 d-1时，氨氮和COD去除率分别高于99%和57%。实验过程中发现，游离氨（FA）和溶解氧（DO）浓度对反应器中亚硝酸盐的积累影响很大。 第二部分：渗滤液原位反硝化。本文利用一个垃圾填充柱模拟生物反应器填埋场，研究了硝化渗滤液回灌对垃圾降解的影响，和回灌的硝化渗滤液中TON（总氧化态氮）对填埋场生物反应器产甲烷作用的影响。最后利用变性梯度凝胶电泳（DGGE）分析了硝化渗滤液回灌对垃圾填埋场菌群结构的影响。结果表明：回灌的TON被完全还原，反硝化为主要反应，最大TON负荷为28.6 mg N kg-1 TS d-1。当垃圾柱TON负荷大于11.4 mg N kg-1 TS d-1时，出现了产甲烷抑制，抑制作用随TON负荷的增加而加强。在此过程中，反硝化逐渐代替产甲烷作用成为填埋场内垃圾降解的主要反应，且更多产生的是清洁的氮气，而非温室气体甲烷。直到实验结束时，回灌硝化渗滤液的垃圾柱的甲烷产量仅相当于对照的2.5%，并且回灌的硝化渗滤液还加速了填埋场垃圾的降解与稳定。通过DGGE进行菌群结构分析发现，由于TON对填埋场的长期作用，反硝化菌增多而产甲烷菌减少。 Landfill still remains the chief method for MSW management around the world. Leachate is a mixture of rainfall permeating through landfill and organic and inorganic matters generated during decomposition of the wastes in the landfills, characterized as highly complicated and refractory wastewater. Ex-situ nitrification and sequential in-situ denitrification represents a novel approach to nitrogen management at landfills. In the present paper, nitrification was carried out in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) inoculated with nitrifying bacteria which were isolated from municipal WWTP of Chengdu city. The nitrified leachate from CSTR was recirculated to a lab-scale municipal solid waste (MSW) column where in-situ denitrification took place. The above object was achived through two parts as following: First, ex-situ nitification of leachate. After acclimated in simulated wastewater for 3 month, nitrifying bacteria isolated from WWTP nitrifying sludge were added to the CSTR for nitrification. The results over 200 days showed that the maximum nitrogen loading rate (NLR) and the maximum organic loading rate (OLR) was 0.65 g N l-1 d-1 and 3.84 g COD l-1 d-1, respectively. The ammonia and COD removal was over 99% and 57%, respectively. Moreover, the effects of free ammonia (FA) and dissolved oxygen (DO) on nitrification were investigated. Second, in-situ denitrification was studied in a municipal solid waste (MSW) column. Variation of nitrified leachate and its effects on the decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW) were studied in a lab-scale MSW column to which nitrified leachate was recirculated. Additionally, DGGE was employed to investigate the microbial community of both MSW columns. The results suggested: complete reduction of total oxidized nitrogen (TON) was obtained with maximum TON load of 28.6 mg N kg-1 TS d-1 and denitrification was the main reaction responsible. Methanogenesis inhibition was observed while TON load was over 11.4 mg N kg-1 TS d-1 and the inhibition was enhanced with the increase of TON load. Denitrification gradually took over methanogenesis to become the main reaction responsible for decomposition of MSW while nitrogen gas, a clean byproduct, was generated instead. Till the end of the experiment, the average weekly methane production in the denitrification column was as low as 2.5% of that of the control, and the rate of decompition and stability of MSW was accelerated by the recirculation of the nitrified leachate.Owing to long term exposure of nitrified leachate to landfill, denitrifying bacteria increased and methanogen decreased.

Protein structural characterization by scanning tunneling microscopy with electrochemistry

The structure characterization of proteins or enzymes by STM on electrochemically prepared HOPG surface studied in this laboratory is reviewed. The serial structures of Hb were observed. The differences between the denaturation and inactivation of HRP were investigated by in situ and ex situ STM. The structural variation of Hb in an organic solvent was imaged while protein denaturation was easily observed in a polar solvent.

Scanning tunneling microscopy characterization of electrode materials in electrochemistry

Ex situ and in situ STM characterization of the electrode materials, including HOPG, GC, Au, Pt and other electrodes, is briefly surveyed and critically evaluated. The relationship between the electrode activity and surface microtopography is discussed.

Seed Germination of Swertia mussotii,an Important Application in Tibetan Folk Medicine

In this study,the effects of temperature,the growth regulator GA3 and storage conditions on seed germination of the biennial Swertia mussotii Franch were compared in seeds from a natural high altitude alpine site and after one-cycle of artificial cultivation at a low altitude.The untreated seeds from high altitude displayed higher germination than those from low altitude.Both GA3 and storage conditions enhanced germination from all sources.After treatment,the final germination of seeds from different sources shows no distinct difference.These results suggest that:(i) all seeds of this species,irrespective of their sources,have similar kinds of dormancy;(ii) the dormancy of this species can not been broken through one-cycle adaptation in ex situ cultivation and thus might be genetically controlled;(iii) both GA3 and 4℃ cold storage are effective for dormancy breaking in ex situ cultivation of this important medicinal species.

Genetic variation in the endangered Anisodus tanguticus (Solanaceae), an alpine perennial endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

We used random amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPDs) to assess genetic variation between- and within-populations of Anisodus tanguticus (Solanaceae), an endangered perennial endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau with important medicinal value. We recorded a total of 92 amplified bands, using 12 RAPD primers, 76 of which (P = 82.61%) were polymorphic, and calculated values of H-t and H-sp of 0.3015 and 0.4459, respectively, suggesting a remarkably high rate of genetic variation at the species level. The average within-population diversity also appeared to be high, with P, H-e and H-pop values of 55.11%, 0.1948 and 0.2918, respectively. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that among- and between-population genetic variation accounted for 67.02% and 32.98% of the total genetic variation, respectively. In addition, Nei's coefficient of differentiation (G(ST)) was found to be high (0.35), confirming the relatively high level of genetic differentiation among the populations. These differentiation coefficients are higher than mean corresponding coefficients for outbreeding species, but lower than reported coefficients for some rare species from this region. The genetic structure of A. tanguticus has probably been shaped by its breeding attributes, biogeographic history and human impact due to collection for medicinal purposes. The observed genetic variations suggest that as many populations as possible should be considered in any planned in situ or ex situ conservation programs for this species.