Essential (Mg,Fe, Zn and Cu) and Non-Essential (Cd and Pb) Elements in Predatory Insects (Vespa crabro and Vespa velutina): A Molecular Perspective

The recent introduction of the Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, into Europe has raised concern regarding the threat to honeybees and the competition with the European hornet, Vespa crabro. The aim of this study was to investigated essential (Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) and non-essential (Cd and Pb) elements in these two species. Element concentrations were determined in the whole body and separately in the head, thorax and abdomen using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The changes in essential element concentration and speciation during metamorphosis were also studied using size exclusion chromatography followed by AAS and proteomic analysis. In both species, the essential elements were more concentrated in the abdomen due to the presence of fat bodies. Magnesium, Fe and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in V. crabro than in V. velutina and could have been related to the higher aerobic energy demand of the former species required to sustain foraging flight. Low concentrations of Cd and Pb were indicative of low environmental exposure. The concentration and speciation of essential elements, particularly Fe, varied among the developmental stages, indicating a modification of ligand preferences during metamorphosis. Overall, the results in the present study provide a better understanding of the hornet metal metabolism and a foundation for additional studies.     

Genetic Carriers and Genomic Distribution of cadA6—A Novel Variant of a Cadmium Resistance Determinant Identified in Listeria spp.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen responsible for severe cases of food poisoning. Listeria spp. strains occurring in soil and water environments may serve as a reservoir of resistance determinants for pathogenic L. monocytogenes strains. A large collection of Listeria spp. strains (155) isolated from natural, agricultural, and urban areas was screened for resistance to heavy metals and metalloids, and the presence of resistance determinants and extrachromosomal replicons. Of the tested strains, 35% were resistant to cadmium and 17% to arsenic. Sequence analysis of resistance plasmids isolated from strains of Listeria seeligeri and Listeria ivanovii, and the chromosome of L. seeligeri strain Sr73, identified a novel variant of the cadAC cadmium resistance efflux system, cadA6, that was functional in L. monocytogenes cells. The cadA6 cassette was detected in four Listeria species, including strains of L. monocytogenes, isolated from various countries and sources—environmental, food-associated, and clinical samples. This resistance cassette is harbored by four novel composite or non-composite transposons, which increases its potential for horizontal transmission. Since some cadAC cassettes may influence virulence and biofilm formation, it is important to monitor their presence in Listeria spp. strains inhabiting different environments.     

Single and matrix HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors

The recent researches and technological developments of middle and long wavelength infrared HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors are presented. Structure, topology, design and performance of HgCdTe photodiodes, silicon readout electronics, Focal Plane Arrays both staring and time delay and integration types, thermal imagers are discussed. Negative differential conductance, bistability and high frequency oscillations under background infrared radiation in HgCdTe photodiodes are reported.     

Sensitometric characteristics of an all‐solid‐state photoelectrochromic pixel for an electrochromic light‐addressable display

Abstract— An all solid‐state photoelectrochromic element (PECE) was developed on the basis of electrochromic layers of WO₃ and polyaniline with a layer of polymer electrolyte placed on a base of polyamidosulfoacid, in which a thin‐film CdS_xSe_1?x photoresistor was used as an electronic key. The dependence of the sensitometric characteristics of the PECE on the applied voltage was studied.     

钛合金的银脆,镉脆敏感性及其控制

利用慢应变速率拉伸技术（ＳＳＲＴ），并结合恒载实验，较全面地研究了Ｔｉ－６Ａｌ－４Ｖ合金的银脆行为、固态与液态镉脆行为，确定了应变速率、接触条件、热处理制度、试样取向、温度等因素对Ｔｉ－６Ａｌ－４Ｖ合金银脆与镉脆敏感性的影响，探讨了Ｎｉ阻挡层对控制Ｔｉ－６Ａｌ－４Ｖ合金和ＴＣ１１合金银脆开裂的作用。     

(Cd,Co,Nb)掺杂的SnO2压敏材料的电学性质

研究了Cd对(Co，Nb)掺杂SnO2压敏材料电学性质的影响。组分为97．65％SnO2 O．75％Co2O3 0．10％Nb2O5 1．50％CdO的压敏电阻具有最大非线性系数(a=22．2)和最高的势垒(ψB=0．761eV)．当CdO的摩尔分数从0增加到3％时，(Co，Nb)掺杂SnO2压敏电阻的击穿电压从366V／mm增大到556V／mm，1kHz时的相对介电常数从1429减小到1108。晶界势垒高度测量揭示，SnO2的晶粒尺寸的减小是击穿电压增高和介电常数减小的主要原因。对Cd掺杂量增加引起SnO2晶粒减小的根源进行了解释。     

变温长波碲镉汞光电导现象研究

报道了ｎ型Ｈｇ０．８Ｃｌ０．２Ｔｅ光电导体的变温材料参数与性能参数的对照关系，并讨论了材料的锭条参数与小芯片霍耳参数的差异，得到一组光电导的实验优化数据，实测小芯片载流子浓度ｎ≈１．８×１０＾１５ｃｍ＾－３，这与高性能器件实测值的倒推数值一致，这被解释为长江红外高背景辐射的结果。     

氦－镉激光器的失效机制

本文报道国产氦－镉激光器常出现的导致失效的一些现象，并阐明其机制。同时给出一些改进意见及修理方法。     

不同浊度下的泥沙对水体镉、铅、砷去除的影响分析

针对流域突发性重金属污染,不同浊度下的泥沙对重金属有一定的去除效果。以浊度为指示指标,通过试验研究了常温(25 ℃)和低温(5 ℃)条件下浊度50～650 NTU(Nephelometric Turbidity Unit)范围内泥沙对重金属镉、铅、砷吸附去除的影响。试验结果表明:泥沙对重金属镉、铅、砷的去除效果为铅＞镉＞砷,其中铅的去除率达到99%。浊度与能处理达标的最高重金属浓度呈线性关系,常温下浊度与能处理达标的最高镉、铅、砷浓度关系曲线的相关系数分别为0.996、0.998、0.999,低温下其相关系数分别为0.999、0.996、0.998。常温较低温更利于泥沙对重金属镉、铅、砷的去除,能去除更高浓度的重金属,达到生活饮用水卫生标准。     

氯化钙-腐殖酸活化作用下土壤Cd的电动脱除性能

为了提高稻田土壤Cd的去除率,同时减小对土壤pH值的影响,采用氯化钙-腐殖酸复合活化液增强土壤Cd的可移动性,基于电动土工合成材料(EKG)电动排水脱除土壤Cd,重点考察了不同活化剂浓度和活化时间下,土壤有效态Cd含量以及土壤pH值的变化,研究了活化-电动排水后土壤Cd的电动脱除量、土壤全Cd含量、有效态Cd含量、土壤pH值的变化。研究结果表明:0.5%氯化钙-1%腐殖酸对土壤Cd的活化效果最佳,土壤有效态Cd含量可从0.30 mg/kg提高至0.44 mg/kg,而活化处理后的土壤pH值仅降低约0.4;排尽上覆水后,通过电动排水可进一步脱除土壤Cd,土壤Cd的电动脱除量为上覆水中Cd含量的3倍左右;活化-电动排水后,土壤全Cd含量从1.72 mg/kg降低至1.20 mg/kg左右,土壤有效态Cd含量降至0.27~0.31 mg/kg,各截面土壤pH值较为均一且变化不明显,介于5.45~6.30之间。研究所提出的方法可最大限度地脱除土壤Cd,提高稻田土壤Cd的去除率,同时减小对土壤pH值的影响,一定程度上保证了农作物的安全生产。