Synthesize of ZnO Nanorods on Quartz Substrates with Seed Layer via Hydrothermal Method: Influence of Solution Concentration

Vertically oriented ZnO nanorods have been synthesized by hydrothermal method on quartz substrates with a seed layer. The influence of solution concentration on the morphology, structural and optical properties was analyzed. Results indicated that with the increase of solution concentration, the diameter and uniformity of ZnO nanorods increased. And the preferred orientation is obviously which shows better crystal quality. Typically, when the solution concentration is 0.03 mol/L, the nanorods exhibit a stronger UV emission peak located around 380 nm. In the visible region, all synthesized samples demonstrate more than 80% of optical transparency.

Application of Environmental Geophysical Prospecting in Environmental Quality Investigation of Reclaimed Land

Traditional geophysical prospecting methods( electromagnetic induction method,high-density resistivity method and ground penetrating radar method) were applied to the environmental quality detection of reclaimed land in the "198" area of Shanghai. According to the results of drilling sampling and laboratory analysis,the accuracy,suitability and consistency of theses geophysical prospecting methods were evaluated.

Temporal–spatial distribution and diastereoisomer pattern of hexabromocyclododecane in the vicinity of a chemical plant

Hexabromocyclododecane(HBCD) is an effective brominated flame-retardant additive, which is mainly produced in the coastal area of China. This study collected soil samples from a HBCD production plant and its surrounding area in Weifang, Shandong Province, China, and analyzed the temporal–spatial distribution of HBCD and its diastereoisomers in soil. The analysis results showed that the concentration of HBCD in soil near the plant was much higher than normal values, with an annual average concentration reaching 5405 ng/g. Soils 1,2 and 4 km away from the plant were also analyzed, showing that the concentration of HBCD in soil decreased accordingly with the distance from the pollution sources. In order to investigate the effect of the season on HBCD content, the soil samples were collected in all four seasons of the year 2017–2018. According to variations in the wind direction, the concentration of HBCD in soil was also changed. The distribution trend showed that the concentration of HBCD in soil in the downwind direction of the prevailing wind was higher than that in the upwind direction. In addition, this work analyzed the distribution of HBCD in vertical soil sections. It was found that the concentration of HBCD decreased with depth in the soil vertical profile. Finally, the various diastereoisomer patterns in the soil compartments were examined, finding that α-HBCD and γ-HBCD were the predominant diastereoisomers in the soil of the study area.

Single-molecule FRET studies on interactions between elongation factor 4 (LepA) and ribosomes

Elongation factor 4（EF4） is one of the highly conserved translational GTPases, whose functions are largely unknown. Structures of EF4 bound ribosomal PRE-translocation and POST-translocation complexes have both been visualized. On top of cellular, structural, and biochemical studies, several controversial models have been raised to rationalize functions of EF4. However, how EF4 modulates elongation through its interactions with ribosomes has not been revealed. Here, using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays, we directly captured short-lived EF4·GTP bound ribosomal PRE and POST translocation complexes, which may adopt slightly different conformations from structures prepared using GDP, GDPNP, or GDPCP. Furthermore, we revealed that EF4·GTP severely impairs delivery of aminoacyl-tRNA into the A-site of the ribosome and moderately accelerates translocation. We proposed that functions of EF4 are to slow overall elongation and to stall majority of ribosomes in POST states under stress conditions.