Integrity of Four Theories on Natural Selection Unit

[Objective] The aim was to study the internal relationship of the four theories on natural selection unit. [Method] The value field of fitness of heterozygote was investigated by constructing mathematical models, to clarify the internal relations of the four theories on natural selection unit. [Result] According to mathematical modes constructed in the study, only the mutated genes meet the requirements of natural selection on heterozygous and homozygous aspects, as well as show high fitness in heterozygous condition, could the mutated genes be kept, giving consideration to both individual and population adaptation. Thus, this methodology theoretically inte- grates the theories of individual selection, collective selection, and genetic selection as well as Kimura＇s neutral theory of health information. [Conclusion] The result of this study suggested that the four theories on natural selection unit can co-exist, and share common premises.

Flotation performance and adsorption mechanism of styrene phosphonic acid as a collector to synthetic(Ce,La)2O3

The flotation performances of styrene phosphonic acid（SPA） to synthetic（Ce,La）2O3（REO）, calcium fluorite（CaF2） and fluorapatite（Ca5F（PO4）3） were investigated by flotation tests, flotation of synthetic mixed mineral, the surface adsorption capacity and the polarizing microscopy to solve the flotation separation problem of rare earth oxides from roasted concentrate. The flotation test results indicated that compared with CaF2 and Ca5F（PO4）3, SPA exhibited superior collecting performance to direct flotation recovery of REO and floated out above 90% REO at pH 3–6. However, the collecting ability of SPA to CaF2 and Ca5F（PO4）3 was extremely weak and the highest recovery was only 20% at pH 2–11. The flotation of synthetic mixed mineral showed that SPA was a good collector reagent for flotation of synthetic REO at pH 5, so REO, CaF2 and Ca5F（PO4）3 could be separated from roasted concentrate by using SPA as a collector. The surface adsorption capacity tests and polarizing microscopy results confirmed that SPA was adsorbed on REO surface, while CaF2 and Ca5F（PO4）3 were not. The adsorption mechanism of SPA to synthetic REO was studied by solution chemistry analysis of collector, the ζ-potential tests, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） analyses. The results indicated that SPA was physically adsorbed onto REO surface, which exhibited excellent flotation selectivity to REO against CaF2 and Ca5F（PO4）3.

Lessons and challenges for the recycling sector of Brazil from the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19

The 2019-2020 coronavirus pandemic imposed unprecedented challenges in Brazilian governance sectors,mostly in the waste management system.Herein,we analyse the main challenges of the recycling sector in Brazil to cope with this scenario.Understanding difficulties during the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 can help improve waste recycling in the post-pandemic period in Brazil and other developing nations that face similar issues.The current pandemic exposed the deficiencies of this system,and some important lessons can be learned.Recommendations are drawn to advance the proper management of recyclables in the country.The Government must increase total investments in the recycling industry’s infrastructure and support local recycling initiatives during a public health crisis and beyond.In sum,this paper strengthens the idea that waste segregation at the source and selective collection will not be sufficient without massive investments in the recycling sector’s infrastructure.The future challenge includes strengthening the economic markets for recycled materials.