The Synthesis and P-31 NMR Spectral Studies of Cyclophosphazenes

National Natural Science Foundation of China [20602032, 20732004, 20572061]; Henan Academic Foundation of Science and Technology [072102280006]A modified method for preparing large-scale quantities of pure hexachlorocyclophosphazene (N3P3Cl6) and octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene (N4P4Cl8), phosphorus pentachloride with ammonium chloride, in the presence of zinc chloride, has been developed. The time of the reaction and the quantities of the catalyst are also studied. It is found that the optimum reaction time is 1.5 h and by-products are remarkably reduced by addition of 10% zinc chloride. As indicated by the P-31 NMR spectra, the synthesis and separation of cyclophosphazenes can be accomplished in moderate yield of tetramer (39%) and good yield of trimer (83%)

Methane formation and consumption processes in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Indoor simulation experiment was carried out to evaluate the formation and consumption rates of methane (CH4) in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China. The results show that both the CH4 formation and consumption rates were significantly positively correlated with temperature. CH4 efflux decreased with rising temperature due to its potential increasing oxidation rate. CH4 oxidation in surface sediments accounted for 51.8% of the total production and it even reached to 77.4% at 356C. The methane oxidation rate in water column ranged from 1.26 to 4.65 mg/(m(2)h), of which the average and greatest rate accounted for 46.7% and 73.9% of CH4 production respectively under the condition of 30 m water column and 35 degrees C. The methane oxidation may increase by 41.04 mg/(m(2)h) under average water level of TGR (160 m), and most methane resulted from sediments can be oxidized in the water column.</p

Field investigation combined with modeling uncovers the ecological heterogeneity of Aedes albopictus habitats for strategically improving systematic management during urbanization

Abstract Background Aedes albopictus is an invasive vector of serious Aedes-borne diseases of global concern. Habitat management remains a critical factor for establishing a cost-effective systematic strategy for sustainable vector control. However, the community-based characteristics of Ae. albopictus habitats in complex urbanization ecosystems are still not well understood. Methods A large-scale investigation of aquatic habitats, involving 12 sites selected as representative of four land use categories at three urbanization levels, was performed in Guangzhou, China during 2015–2017. The characteristics and dynamics of these Ae. albopictus habitats were assessed using habitat-type composition, habitat preference, diversity indexes and the Route index (RI), and the temporal patterns of these indexes were evaluated by locally weighted scatterplot smoothing models. The associations of RI with urbanization levels, land use categories and climatic variables were inferred using generalized additive mixed models. Results A total of 1994 potential habitats and 474 Ae. albopictus-positive habitats were inspected. The majority of these habitats were container-type habitats, with Ae. albopictus showing a particularly higher habitat preference for plastic containers, metal containers and ceramic vessels. Unexpectedly, some non-container-type habitats, especially ornamental ponds and surface water, were found to have fairly high Ae. albopictus positivity rates. Regarding habitats, the land use category residential and rural in Jiangpu (Conghua District, Guangzhou) had the highest number of Ae. albopictus habitats with the highest positive rates. The type diversity of total habitats (H-total) showed a quick increase from February to April and peaked in April, while the H-total of positive habitats (H-positive) and RIs peaked in May. RIs mainly increased with the monthly average daily mean temperature and monthly cumulative rainfall. We also observed the accumulation of diapause eggs in the winter and diapause termination in the following March. Conclusions Ecological heterogeneity of habitat preferences of Ae. albopictus was demonstrated in four land use categories at three urbanization levels. The results reveal diversified habitat-type compositions and significant seasonal variations, indicating an ongoing adaptation of Ae. albopictus to the urbanization ecosystem. H-positivity and RIs were inferred as affected by climatic variables and diapause behavior of Ae. albopictus, suggesting that an effective control of overwintering diapause eggs is crucial. Our findings lay a foundation for establishing a stratified systematic management strategy of Ae. albopictus habitats in cities that is expected to complement and improve community-based interventions and sustainable vector management. Graphical Abstrac