Mixed aromatic-aliphatic organic nanoparticles as carriers of unidentified infrared emission features

Unidentified infrared emission bands at wavelengths of 3-20 micrometres are widely observed in a range of environments in our Galaxy and in others. Some features have been identified as the stretching and bending modes of aromatic compounds, and are commonly attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules. The central argument supporting this attribution is that single-photon excitation of the molecule can account for the unidentified infrared emission features observed in 'cirrus' clouds in the diffuse interstellar medium. Of the more than 160 molecules identified in the circumstellar and interstellar environments, however, not one is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecule. The detections of discrete and broad aliphatic spectral features suggest that the carrier of the unidentified infrared emission features cannot be a pure aromatic compound. Here we report an analysis of archival spectroscopic observations and demonstrate that the data are most consistent with the carriers being amorphous organic solids with a mixed aromatic-aliphatic structure. This structure is similar to that of the organic materials found in meteorites, as would be expected if the Solar System had inherited these organic materials from interstellar sources.     

Structural insight into brassinosteroid perception by BRI1

Brassinosteroids are essential phytohormones that have crucial roles in plant growth and development. Perception of brassinosteroids requires an active complex of BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) and BRI1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 (BAK1). Recognized by the extracellular leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of BRI1, brassinosteroids induce a phosphorylation-mediated cascade to regulate gene expression. Here we present the crystal structures of BRI1(LRR) in free and brassinolide-bound forms. BRI1(LRR) exists as a monomer in crystals and solution independent of brassinolide. It comprises a helical solenoid structure that accommodates a separate insertion domain at its concave surface. Sandwiched between them, brassinolide binds to a hydrophobicity-dominating surface groove on BRI1(LRR). Brassinolide recognition by BRI1(LRR) is through an induced-fit mechanism involving stabilization of two interdomain loops that creates a pronounced non-polar surface groove for the hormone binding. Together, our results define the molecular mechanisms by which BRI1 recognizes brassinosteroids and provide insight into brassinosteroid-induced BRI1 activation.     

Fault lubrication during earthquakes

The determination of rock friction at seismic slip rates (about 1?m?s(-1)) is of paramount importance in earthquake mechanics, as fault friction controls the stress drop, the mechanical work and the frictional heat generated during slip. Given the difficulty in determining friction by seismological methods, elucidating constraints are derived from experimental studies. Here we review a large set of published and unpublished experiments (～300) performed in rotary shear apparatus at slip rates of 0.1-2.6?m?s(-1). The experiments indicate a significant decrease in friction (of up to one order of magnitude), which we term fault lubrication, both for cohesive (silicate-built, quartz-built and carbonate-built) rocks and non-cohesive rocks (clay-rich, anhydrite, gypsum and dolomite gouges) typical of crustal seismogenic sources. The available mechanical work and the associated temperature rise in the slipping zone trigger a number of physicochemical processes (gelification, decarbonation and dehydration reactions, melting and so on) whose products are responsible for fault lubrication. The similarity between (1) experimental and natural fault products and (2) mechanical work measures resulting from these laboratory experiments and seismological estimates suggests that it is reasonable to extrapolate experimental data to conditions typical of earthquake nucleation depths (7-15?km). It seems that faults are lubricated during earthquakes, irrespective of the fault rock composition and of the specific weakening mechanism involved.     

梯级浮床修复黑臭河道过程中浮游植物动态研究

采用现场试验方法,将挺水、浮叶和沉水植物组合成梯级浮床以修复黑臭河道;监测浮游植物动态变化情况,并结合水质理化指标对梯级浮床修复黑臭河道的机理进行研究,以期为黑臭河道治理与修复提供参考.实验结果表明,经梯级浮床修复后,浮游植物种类中绿藻门和蓝藻门所占比例明显下降,优势种也发生改变,其中沉水植物浮床浮游植物门类最多,反映...     

梯级生态浮床系统净化富营养化水体的示范工程研究

针对富营养化严重的新角浦河,构建了梯级生态浮床系统(SFTW),开展河道水体的净化处理示范工程研究.结果表明,该系统对CODcr,NH+4-N,TN和TP的去除率最高分别可达21.26%,29.07%,37.95%和20.74%.治理后的示范河段除TN仍为劣V类外,CODcr,NH+4-N和TP出水浓度均达到V类标准,...     

梯级生态浮床系统处理黑臭河水除磷性能研究

以上海市某黑臭河道为处理对象,通过模拟天然水体中水生植物的分布,构建逐级下沉式梯级浮床系统(Staged Floating Treatment Wetlands,SFTWs),分析温度、植物种类、pH值和溶解氧(DO)等因素对浮床系统的除磷性能的影响.结果表明,浮床系统的除磷率受温度变化较为明显,一定温度范围内两者呈正...     

以蜂巢石为基质的垂直流人工湿地对黑臭水体除磷中试研究

以水生植物-梭鱼草作为湿地植物,新型填料蜂巢石作为湿地填料,构建了同时具有美化景观与净化黑臭水体的垂直流人工湿地,并将其成功应用于黑臭水体除磷的中试研究.试验结果表明,人工湿地的TP去除率为58.13%～83.25%,且TP去除率的变化趋势与气温变化趋势相一致.TP的去除效果具有一定的时空变化规律,在运行时间小于2个月...     

图的局部连通性与上可嵌入性

研究局部连通图中支撑树的变换. 给出L.Nebesk定理的一个新证明, 并将其推广得到一类新的上可嵌入图.     

蔗渣浆纤维模塑装饰建筑材料的制备与性能

以天然蔗渣浆纤维为原料,利用模塑热压工艺复合成形,得到物理性能优良的纤维模塑装饰建筑材料.借助拉伸性能测试、热重分析、FT-IR等研究了影响该材料力学性能的因素.研究表明:该材料的拉伸性能主要受增强剂和阻燃剂添加量,干燥温度、时间和压力的影响;随着阻燃剂添加量的增加,材料的拉伸性能明显降低;最佳干燥温度为160℃,干燥...     

吉富罗非鱼不同家系的生长性状差异

以吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼为亲本,采用巢式配对法进行同质随机配对,配对252个家系,繁育获得106个家系,成功率为42.06％;通过标准化培育,构建了86个吉富罗非鱼全同胞家系和10个半同胞家系.选取22个不同家系进行同步的生长比较研究,结果表明:40、90、120及150日龄不同家系间平均体长、平均体质量的差异显著(P＜0...