Range-wide Yangtze freshwater dolphin expedition: The last chance to see Baiji?

Background, Aim and Scope. There are two species of fresh water cetaceans surviving in the Yangtze River system in China: Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) and Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis). As a result of the expansion of human activities on the river, their distribution ranges appear to be decreasing and in the case of the Baiji, are even being restricted to several sections. The Baiji is the world's most critically endangered cetacean species with a population estimated at only a few tens of individuals. The Yangtze finless porpoise is the world's only freshwater-adapted population of the species, and it has been estimated that only around 1,000 individuals remain in the river system. In order to prevent the extinction of Baiji and a sharp decline in the abundance of the porpoise, in situ conservation (i.e. in the river) and two ex situ conservation (i.e. in semi-natural reserves and in captivity) strategies were proposed and have been implemented since the early 1990s. In view of both the severely endangered status of the animals and the severely degraded conditions of their habitats, the feasibility and actual status of these two strategies are raised for discussion. Main Features. The threats faced by the cetaceans are mainly from the unfettered exploitation of the river's resources. In the past 20 years, five nature reserves have been established along the river. Imposing maximum prohibition of harmful and illegal fishing methods in the reserves might prolong the process of extinction of these cetaceans in the wild, but so far, the administrative measures taken in the reserves have not yet kept the abundance from sharply declining. As human use of the river and its resources is expected to intensify for many decades into the future, the ability of the river to continue to support these species is certainly undecided. Therefore, rescuing animals from the river and establishing viable breeding populations in semi-natural reserves, in which the environment is similar to the main stream of the river, and in captivity, has to be considered urgently as the short-term goal of ex situ strategies. Since the abundance of porpoises is higher than that of the Baiji, we have first established breeding populations of them in the semi-natural reserves and in captivity. But, considering the extremely low density of Baiji in the river, an immediate range-wide Yangtze Baiji survey is an urgent need for locating and capturing sufficient Baiji for successfully establishing a breeding population of them in semi-natural reserves. Results. Two semi-natural reserves (in Shishou, Hubei Province, and Tongling, Anhui Province) have been set up along the river in order to establish breeding populations of the Baiji and the porpoises. So far, several small groups of porpoises that were caught in the main stream of the river have successively been introduced into the semi-natural reserves. Under careful management, these animals in both of the semi-natural reserves not only survive, but can also reproduce naturally and successfully. At least one or three calves were born in each reserve each year. Additionally, a breeding group of porpoises is being established at the Baiji Dolphinarium at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan. There are presently four adults and one calf living in the Dolphinarium. The calf, born in July, 2005, is the first captive bred Yangtze Finless Porpoise in the world. In preparation for the range-wide Yangtze cetacean survey, a 9-day pilot expedition on the river near Wuhan was conducted in March, 2006, in order to develop methods for locating the Baiji. No Baiji were expected to be seen in such a short period but about 40 porpoise sightings were observed. Results of the pilot survey indicated that traditional visual and acoustical survey methods for cetaceans should be adapted to find the elusive Baiji in the river. Currently, the range-wide Yangtze cetacean survey is in preparation. The survey will cover over 1,700 km of the Yangtze River from Yichang to Shanghai, and is expected to provide detailed information on Baiji and porpoise numbers and distribution patterns in the river. Discussion. Although the short-term goal of ex situ conservation is to rescue cetaceans from the river and to establish viable breeding populations in semi-natural reserves and in captivity, the long-term goal of releasing the animals back into the river when the threats have decreased and the natural environment has been improved, should not be neglected. Moreover, the in situ conservation efforts in the natural reserves, and even in the entire Yangtze River system, including the lakes, should not be ignored or abandoned at any time. The activities contributing to the conservation of the Baiji and the porpoise in the wild have the incidental effect of benefiting the entire Yangtze ecosystem and other rare threatened species. The dynamics of the groups of porpoises in semi-natural reserves should be monitored continually, in order to guide the establishment of breeding groups of Baiji in these semi-natural reserves in the near future. Conclusions. Under the existing severely degraded conditions of the Yangtze system, the sharply fall populations of Baiji and porpoises will not be suspended in the foreseeable future. Therefore, ex situ conservation should be emphasized, and the severely threatened Baiji in the river should be removed and translocated to semi-natural reserves for establishing viable breeding populations. The successful program of capturing, translocating and maintaining finless porpoises in the Shishou semi-natural reserve has demonstrated its adequacy as an ex situ environment for cetaceans. Following the successful pilot survey in the river, the immediate range-wide Yangtze cetacean survey is proposed and is in preparation. The range-wide survey is expected to ensure that any remaining Baiji can be found reliably and captured successfully after the survey. Recommendations and Perspectives. During the range-wide survey, not only the Baiji but also the porpoise as well as their habitats should be investigated based on visual and acoustical methods that adapted to the river and the animals. Meanwhile, the current risk levels to the Baiji and porpoises should be evaluated at each area where Baiji or porpoises can be reliably sighted. Any capture efforts should be targeted on the most threatened areas, or where there is maximum risk of injury or death. The immediate track of the Baiji should be carried out once a Baiji is sighted during the range-wide survey in order to obtain the movement route of the animals, which is crucial information for the successful capture operation. Additionally, the need to establish new semi-natural reserves for the porpoises should be placed on the agenda of local and central governments in the near future.

Gene structure and transcription of IRF-2 in the mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi with the finding of alternative transcripts and microsatellite in the coding region

The gene of interferon regulatory factor-2 (IRF-2) has been cloned from the mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi). The IRF-2 gene has 6,418 nucleotides (nt) and contains eight exons and seven introns, encoding two mRNAs. The two IRF-2 mRNAs each contained an open reading frame of 873 nt, which both translate into the same 291 amino acids but differed in their 5' untranslated region: one mRNA was transcribed initially from the exon 1 bypassing exon 2, while the other was transcribed from the exon 2. The microsatellites (CA repeats) could be found in the carboxyl terminal region of mandarin fish IRF-2, which result in the truncated form molecules. The microsatellites' polymorphism was investigated, and eight alleles were found in 16 individuals. The microsatellites were also examined in IRF-2 of several freshwater perciform fishes. The transcription of the IRF-2 in different tissues with or without poly inosine-cytidine stimulation was analyzed by real-time PCR, and the constitutive transcription of both molecules could be detected in all the tissues examined.

Xenobiotics removal from polluted water by a multifunctional constructed wetland

Removal efficiencies on xenobiotics from polluted water in a twin-shaped constructed wetland consisting of a vertical flow chamber with the crop plant Colocasia esculenta L. Schott and a reverse vertical flow one with Ischaemum aristatum var. glaucum Honda, were assessed by chemical analysis and bioassays. After a four-month period of application, removal efficiencies of the applied pesticides parathion and omethoate were 100%, with no detectable parathion and omethoate in the effluent. For the applied herbicides, the decontamination was less efficient with removal efficiencies of 36% and 0% for 4-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxyacetic acid and dicamba, respectively. As shown by toxicity assay with duckweed Lemna minor L., growth retardation may occur if the water treated for herbicide removal is used in irrigation of sensitive cultivars in agriculture or horticulture. In contrast to I. aristatum var. glaucum Honda, the crop C esculenta L. Schott has a high yield in biomass production as a valuable source of renewable energy. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of V/III ratio in the initial growth stage on the properties of GaN epilayer deposited on low temperature AlN buffer layer

The V/III ratio in the initial growth stage of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition has an important influence on the quality of a GaN epilayer grown on a low-temperature AIN buffer layer and c-plane sapphire substrate. A weaker yellow luminescence, a narrower half-width of the X-ray diffraction peak, and a higher electron mobility result when a lower V/III ratio is taken. The intensity of in situ optical reflectivity measurements indicates that the film surface is rougher at the beginning of GaN growth, and a longer time is needed for the islands to coalesce and for a quasi-two dimensional mode growth to start. A comparison of front- and back-illuminated photoluminescence spectra confirms that many threading dislocations are bent during the initial stage, leading to a better structural quality of the GaN layer. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of AlN growth time on the electrical properties of Al0.38Ga0.62N/AlN/GaN HEMT structures

Al0.38Ga0.62N/AIN/GaN HEMT structures have been grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on 2-inch sapphire substrates. Samples with AIN growth time of 0s (without AIN interlayer), 12, 15, 18 and 24s are characterized and compared. The electrical properties of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) are improved by introducing AIN interlayers. The AIN growth time in the range of 12-18s, corresponding to the AIN thickness of 1-1.5 nm, is appropriate for the design of Al0.38Ga0.62N/AIN/GaN HEMT structures. The lowest sheet resistance of 277 Omega sq(-1) and highest room temperature 2DEG mobility of 1460 cm(2)V(-1) s(-1) are obtained on structure with AIN growth time of 12s. The structure with AIN growth time of 15s exhibits the highest 2DEG concentration of 1.59 x 10(13) cm(-2) and the smallest RMS surface roughness of 0.2 nm. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

一种支持软件过程控制和改进的主动度量模型

提出了一种支持软件过程控制与改进的主动度量模型 AMM(active measurement model)和度量方法.模型形式化描述了软件过程的目标、特征和度量指标等关键元素以及相互间的关系,给出了确定软件过程度量的原则、方法和步骤.基于该度量模型,软件组织一方面可以依据确定的过程目标,主动导出合适的度量过程;另一方面还可以依据度量的结果,识别过程改进的机会,并主动导出过程改进的方向.为正确的决策和成功的结果提供有效的支持.

土地利用方式对土壤有机质及其碳库管理指数的影响

采用野外调查和室内分析的方式对子午岭不同土地利用方式下,土壤有机质、3种活性有机质及其碳库管理指数(CMI)进行了研究,结果表明,土壤有机质、3种活性土壤有机质含量均随土层的加深逐渐降低,在土壤剖面基本表现为林地、撂荒未翻耕地>撂荒翻耕地>农用地.同一土层,3种土壤活性有机质含量及其有效率表现为低活性有机质>中活性有机质>高活性有机质.不同利用方式下,活性有机质有效率随有机质活性增强,呈现撂荒未翻耕地>林地>撂荒翻耕地>农用地的趋势.不同利用方式之间的CMI的差异随有机质活性的增强而增大,且影响深度也逐渐加深.在0~30cm土层内,林地3种活性有机质的CMI高于撂荒翻耕地和农用地;而在30cm之下土层,3种利用方式低活性有机质的CMI相差不大,但中活性有机质和高活性有机质的CMI表现为林地>撂荒翻耕地>农用地.3种活性土壤有机质与其他生物化学性质之间均表现为显著或极显著相关关系,表明活性有机质可以指示土地利用方式对土壤有机质和CMI的影响.

镧系稀土硝酸盐二甲亚砜络合物的振动光谱研究

DMSO是一个很好的配位体，有氧原子和硫原子两个配位原子，通过这两个配位原子，DMSO可以和许多过渡金属和稀土金属的离子发生络合，形成稳定的金属络合物。稀土金属离子的络合物，角过氯酸盐、卤化物，高铼酸盐六氟磷化物等，曾有人进行了研究，它们的光谱研究表明，二甲亚砜是通过氧原子同稀土络合，O、N、S三原子的络合能力是O＞N＞S。在稀土硝酸盐的二甲亚砜的络合物中，由于即存在DMSO的配位，也存在硝基的配位，所在情况比较复杂。它们的振动光谱研究了可以在1967年Ramalingan和1977年Kawcuno的工作中得知一些，前者研究了La、Ce、Pr、Nd、Sm、Gd、Ho、Yb、Y九个元素的络合物，后者研究了La、Nd、Er、Yb、Lu五个元素的络合物，所有络合物的光谱数据都很不完全，他们都认为DMSO与NO_3都与稀土离子络合，并肯定是通过氧原子络合，但是对于NO_3的络合方式没有一致的结论。Ramalingan等认为络合物分子中，硝根既有双基配位，又有单基配位，和X光衍射实验的结果不相符，Kawano通过研究全氘化二甲亚砜（DMSO－d_6)的稀土硝酸盐络合物，认为三个NO_3都是通过两个氧原子同稀土相配位，是双基配位基。硝基的配位方式是一个长期争论的振动光谱问题，不少学者曾对硝基的各种振动模式的谱带位置和吸收强度进行探讨，很难得出一致的结论。在络合物中氧与稀土离子的络合键Ln-O的振动频率位置问题，亦存在争论，Kawanv认为这个配位键的振动频率在180 cm~(-1)附近，但是日本的岩濑秋雄等人，在研究稀土高氯酸盐的二甲亚砜络合物时，则认为400 cm~(-1)附近的谱带为Ln-O的振动频率在研究稀土的无水硝酸盐的红外光谱的工作中。A.Walker等人也把180 cm~(-1)谱带归属为Ln-O络合键。J.R.Ferraro等人在研究Ln（NO_3）_3·3DBP络合物时，也认为Ln-O配位键在180 cm~(-1）附近，但是我们考察了他们的数据与稀土动量L的关系，未发现四分组现和“斜W”效应。我们研究了除P_m 以外的十四个稀土元素并Y的硝酸盐DMSO络合物的付氏变换红外光和激光拉曼光谱，4000 cm~(-1)－80 cm~(-1)的红外光谱图和4000 cm~(-1)－50 cm~(-1)的拉曼光谱图提供了较完整的数据，除了肯定了NO_3和DMSO都以氧原子与稀土络合外，还肯定了NO_3的配位方式和利用红外数据区别不同类型的配位的方法找出了金属离子配位数不同的光谱特征，做了Ln-O络合键的振动频率的归属及其与稀土物化性质间的规律关系。根据DMSO的简正坐标计算结果，可以归属出DMSO及其络合物的许多谱带，其中S＝0伸缩振动频率在990－1018 cm~(-1)之间，随原子序数增加无明显规律性变化，在Gd络合物以后，分裂为三条谱带。C－S的伸缩振动移问低波数，变化随原子序数增加而增加，但无明显的线性变化，C－S－O变形振动频率向高频方向移动约16 cm~(-1)，与原子序数无关，C－S－C变形振动移向高波数5 cm~(-1)，与原子序数无关。此外，在～3000 cm~(-1)是Vc-H，～1400 cm~(-1)是CH_3变形振动频率谱带，～950 cm~(-1)是CH_3摇摆，络合后上述谱带变化不大，可见络合对CH_3基团的振动无大的影响。通过考察S＝0振动频率变化，可以看出十配位络合物和九配位络合物之间的光谱区别在于十配位络合物S＝0伸缩振动仍为一条谱带，而九配位络合物的S＝0振动频率则分裂为两条谱带。已知十配位的Ln－O多面体为双帽正多棱柱，九配位络合物则为三帽三角柱，考虑到氧原子的不同，前者为C_(2v)对称性，后者为C_3对称性，不同配位数的络合物所显示谱带分裂不能用对称性来说明，因为这两种群均没有简并的群表示，利用X光衍射数据计算了La和Yb的络合物中DMSO间氧原子的距离，可以看出，十配位络合物中DMSO的配位氧原子间距离大，而九配位络合物中氧原子间距离小，两者之间相差近两倍。所以S＝0振动频率分裂可能是相同基团因距离近而产生了振动耦合。利用此结果可以区分不同配位数的络合物，这种现象，在以往的DMSO络合物的研究中没有发现。硝基离子属于D_(3h)群，有四个振动模式，其中三个是红外活性，分别为V_2（A＂）＝823－817 cm~(-1)，V_3（E'）＝1368－1355 cm~(-1)，V_4（E'）＝702－718 cm~(-1)，V_1、V_3、V_4是拉曼活性的，络合以后，NO_3对称性变为C_(2v)群，有六条红外谱线，同时也是拉曼活性，其中N－O伸缩振动在1460 cm~(-1) （A，S），No_2反对称伸缩振动在1340－1329cm~(-1)（B，S），NO_2，对称伸缩振动在1037.7 cm~(-1)附近，NO_3的对称面内弯曲振动在817 cm~(-1)（A，S），反对称面内弯曲振动在767.7 cm~(-1)，NO_3的面外变形振动在710 cm~(-1)（B_2 W），由此可知硝基在络合物中确实参加了配位。存在络合物中的三个硝基的配位类型在红外上如何区别我们进行了初步探讨。单基配位基和双基配位基同属C_(2v)对称性所以在基频上很难区别，Lever等人在研究过渡金属络合物中发现，No_3的组频1750 cm~(-1) （V_1＋V_4）在络合以后发生了分裂，双基配位基分裂在22－66cm~(-1)范围，而单基配位基则在5－26cm~(-1)范围，可以以此来区别NO_3的配位类型，这种方法适用于很多络合物，我们把这种方法应用于稀土络合物中发现，这个组频分裂现象在络合物中普遍存在，分裂在25－44.4cm~(-1)范围，所以络合物的硝基是双基配位体，在此波数区间内只有分裂很好的两个峰，所以可以断定无单基配位的硝基存在，这与X光衍射实验结果相一致，分裂距离随原子序数增加而增加，但无“斜W”效应。Ce和Lu的络合物分裂较小。由此可知这种方法适用于稀土二甲亚砜络合物。对有可能归属为Ln-O配位键的180 cm~(-1)和400 cm~(-1)附近的两条谱带进行考查，～400 cm~(-1)附近的谱带随原子序数增加总趋势增加，在Gd络合物开始分裂为两条，这条谱带与稀土离子总角动量L之间存在“斜W”效应，Shyama P. Sinha在研究稀土元素的性质时发现，稀土很多性质都具有“斜W”效应。其中包括配位键振动频率。利用V＝1／（2πC）（F／（－1~n））~(1/2)，用乙酰丙酮络合物的F_(Ln-O)近似计算V_(Ln-O)可以算得V_(Ln-O)在400.8－418.49cm~(-1)范围，所以可以认为～400 cm~(-1)附近的谱带可以归属为Ln-O键伸缩振动。～200 cm~(-1)的谱带在S_m络合物以后分开，此谱带亦随原子序数增加而增加，但无“斜W”效应，Kawano把它们归属为Ln-O，J.R.Ferraro在研究Ln（NO_3）_3（TBP）_3时，也认为Ln-O键伸缩振动在此位置，但也无“斜W”效应，这条谱带能否归属于Ln-O键，有待寻找更进一步的证据。通过稀土二甲亚砜络合物的研究，我们可以得知，NO_3的组频在1750 cm~(-1)谱带在络合以后发生了分裂，分裂范围在25－44.4 cm~(-1)，从而证明了NO_3为双基配位基。DMSO的S＝0伸缩振动频率和Ln-O键伸缩振动在Gd络合物后出现分裂，因而可以利用此结果可以区分两种不同配位数的络合物，通过考虑振动频率同稀土物化性质L间的关系及近似计算，初步可以确定Ln-O键振动频率在～400 cm~(-1)附近。有“斜W”效应存在。

SiN薄膜三阶非线性增强的研究

采用射频磁控反应溅射法结合热退火处理技术制备纳米硅镶嵌氮化硅(ncSi-SiN_x)复合薄膜.通过X射线能谱(EDS)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)的测定,对薄膜进行了结构及所包含硅晶粒大小的表征.采用皮秒激光器运用单光束Z扫描技术开展了对该复合薄膜的非线性光学性质的研究,测得其三阶非线性折射率系数和非线性光吸收系数分别为10~(-8) esu和10~(-8)m/W量级,并将薄膜这种三阶光学非线性的增强归因于量子限域效应.

稀磁半导体--自旋和电荷的桥梁

稀磁半导体可能同时利用载流子的自旋和电荷自由度构造将磁、电集于一体的半导体器件.尤其是铁磁半导体材料的出现带动了半导体自旋电子学的发展.室温铁磁半导体材料的制备,半导体材料中有效的自旋注入,以及自旋在半导体结构中输运和操作已成为目前半导体自旋电子学领域中的热门课题.稀磁半导体呈现出强烈的自旋相关的光学性质和输运性质,这些效应为人们制备半导体自旋电子学器件提供了物理基础.

ZnO∶Tb纳米晶的制备、结构与发光性质

于2010-11-23批量导入

LP-MOVPE生长的低阈值1.3μm InGaAsP/InP 压、张应变交替 MQW 激光器特性

国内首次报道了LP-MOVPE法生长高质量的高、张应变交替InGaAsP多量子阱结构的研制过程及其材料的高精度X-ray双晶摇摆衍射曲线和荧光光谱特性表征。经过双腔面镀增透射膜后，其TE模与TM模自发发射谱光强差为3dBm，呈现偏振补偿特性。