Nanosensors and nanobiosensors in food and agriculture

The food and agriculture sector controls the economic growth of a developing country. The food industries have practices of growing crops, raising livestock and sea foods, food processing and packaging, regulating production and distribution with quality and safety. The process control and monitoring quality are crucial steps. Here we review nanosensors and nanobiosensors as alternative of classical quantification methods. Nanoscale dimensions of metal nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal and carbon quantum dots, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and nanocomposites expand the sensitivity by signal amplification and integrate several novel transduction principles such as enhanced electrochemical, optical, Raman, enhanced catalytic activity, and superparamagnetic properties into the nanosensors. The electrochemical nanosensors, optical nanosensors, electronic nose and electronic tongue, nanobarcode technology, and wireless nanosensors have revolutionized the sensing in food and agriculture sectors with multiplex and real-time sensing capabilities. Despite previous success stories of the remunerative health sector, the approaches are transferred subsequently to food and agriculture sector; with potential application in detection of food contaminants such as preservatives, antibiotics, heavy metal ions, toxins, microbial load, and pathogens along with the rapid monitoring of temperature, traceability, humidity, gas, and aroma of the food stuff.     

市场经济与土肥科技

土肥的基础地位是不随社会性质或社会经济类型的变化而变化的，它既具重要性，又具长久性．市场经济是仍然需要土肥科技的．土肥科技的教学、科研和推广的力度必须加大，局面必须改观，且宜快不宜迟．土肥科技工作者一定要将培肥地力作为中心工作．根据广东的实际，增施有机肥是培肥地力的主要措施，因而抓秸秆还田和发展冬绿肥是我们工作的重点．     

基因污染与生态环境安全

论述了基因污染可能对生态环境安全造成的影响。转基因作物有可能污染天然物种的基因库；有可能破坏传统农作物品种的遗传多样性，加速作物种植品种的单一化及基因资源的流失；使抗除草剂作物的基因向野生或半野生植物漂移的可能性加大，有可能创造出“超级杂草”；带有病毒型转基因作物的基因重组，有可能创造出新的植物病毒，导致新的病害；BT转基因抗虫作物分泌的毒素，在食物链中传递，很难加以控制，对非目标生物造成危害，并最终破坏自然生态系统的平衡。文章还从不同角度分析了基因污染的严重性。     

1株贫营养好氧反硝化菌的分离鉴定及其脱氮特性

从水库底泥样品中,以硝酸盐为唯一氮源进行驯化、分离筛选出1株能在贫营养及好氧条件下进行高效反硝化的菌株PY8,经过电镜形态学观察、生理生化和16S rDNA序列分析,并基于16SrDNA序列结果,构建了该菌株的系统发育树,最终确定菌株PY8为根瘤菌Rhizobiumsp.。考察了初始pH值、温度、C/N、初始硝酸钠质量浓度、投菌量对菌株PY8硝酸盐还原活性的影响,以及该菌株的异养硝化性能。结果表明,在pH6.0～10.0,温度25～30℃,C/N1.0～9.0,初始硝酸钠质量浓度0.01～0.50g·L-1,投菌量1%～15%时,菌株PY8培养72h后的硝氮去除率可达到95%以上。另外,该菌株具有同时硝化-反硝化作用,在培养过程中氨氮去除率可达到58%左右。实验结果表明,菌株PY8在微污染水体生物脱氮领域中具有很大的应用潜力。     

Characteristics of dispersions and water-soluble extracts of crude and refined oils and their toxicity to estuarine crustaceans and fish

The quantitative hydrocarbon composition and behavior in seawater of water-soluble fractions (WSF) and oil-in-water dispersions (OWD) of 4 oils was investigated. Two crude oils, South Louisiana crude and Kuwait crude, and two refined oils, No. 2 fuel oil and bunker C residual oil, were used in these investigations. The WSFs of the crude oils had higher total oil-hydrocarbon concentrations and were richer in light aliphatics and single-ring aromatics than were the WSFs of the refined oils. The WSFs of the refined oils contained significantly higher concentrations of naphthalenes than did those of the crudes. The hydrocarbon composition of the aqueous phase of OWDs closely resembled that of the parent oils. Gentle aeration of the OWDs resulted in a loss of 80 to 90% of the aqueous hydrocarbons in 24 h. Alkanes disappeared from the dispersions more rapidly than aromatics. The WSFs and OWDs of the refined oils were considerably more toxic to the 6 test species than were those of the crude oils. The test species can be ranked according to increasing sensitivity to oil as follows: Cyprinodon variegatus, Menidia beryllina, Fundulus similus, Penaeus aztecus postlarvae, Palaemonetes pugio and Mysidopsis almyra. The results of this investigation are discussed in relation to the potential impacts of oil spills on the marine and estuarine environments.     

Interaction and combined toxicity of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic environment

● Adsorption of PFASs on MPs and its mechanisms are critically reviewed. ● MPs could alter the transport and transformation of PFASs in aquatic environments. ● Combined toxicity of MPs and PFASs at organismal and molecular levels is discussed. Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as vectors for the transport of organic contaminants in aquatic environments in addition to their own adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely present in aquatic environments due to their widespread applications, and thus coexist with MPs. Therefore, we focus on the interaction of MPs and PFASs and related combined toxicity in aquatic environments in this work. The adsorption of PFASs on MPs is critically reviewed, and new mechanisms such as halogen bonding, π-π interaction, cation-π interactions, and micelle formation are proposed. Moreover, the effect of MPs on the transport and transformation of PFASs in aquatic environments is discussed. Based on four typical aquatic organisms (shellfish, Daphnia, algae, and fish), the toxicity of MPs and/or PFASs at the organismal or molecular levels is also evaluated and summarized. Finally, challenges and research perspectives are proposed, and the roles of the shapes and aging process of MPs on PFAS biogeochemical processes and toxicity, especially on PFAS substitutes, are recommended for further investigation. This review provides a better understanding of the interactions and toxic effects of coexisting MPs and PFASs in aquatic environments.     

河流底泥污染及其控制与修复

水体底泥污染是世界范围内的一个环境问题。污染物通过大气沉降、废水排放、雨水淋溶与冲刷进入水体,最后沉积到底泥中并逐渐富集,使底泥受到严重污染。在河流环境中,河床沉积底泥以推移和悬浮形式输送,很大程度上导致了上覆水和沉积底泥的相互物理作用。河流有强有力的自然环境,在河流系统中趋向有利于沉积底泥的解吸作用,从而将会影响上覆水的水质。因此,在水质管理计划中,应该将已污染的沉积底泥作为一个污染源予以考虑,沉积底泥是河流污染的一个重要方面。文章根据近年来国内外对河流底泥污染的控制、处理、修复及利用的文献资料,分析了河流底泥的污染现状及主要类型,包括重金属、NP营养物质、难降解有机物和持久性有毒污染物等,指出了目前在底泥污染修复中存在的问题。针对河流底泥污染控制与修复技术,介绍了除控制外源污染物外的物理修复、化学修复和生物修复等几种主要的修复方法和技术,分析了各种方法的利弊以及适用情况。在阐述了堆肥、建材利用、低温热解、湿地及栖息地建设、修复废弃地和建设填方等利用方式后,提出具体的控制和修复应因地制宜,综合各种恢复技术及利用方式,以达到控制及修复污染的河流底泥,恢复河流生态系统之目的。     

Indoor and outdoor air pollution and lung cancer in New Hampshire and Vermont

Indoor and outdoor air pollution is known to contribute to increased lung cancer incidence. This study is the first to address the contribution of home heating fuel and geographical course particulate matter (PM₁₀) concentrations to lung cancer rates in New Hampshire, USA. First, Pearson correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression were used to investigate spatial relationships between outdoor PM₁₀ and lung cancer rates. While the aforementioned analyses did not indicate a significant contribution of PM₁₀ to lung cancer in the state, there was a trend towards a significant association in the northern and southwestern regions of the state. Second, case-control data were used to estimate the contributions of indoor pollution and secondhand smoke to the risk of lung cancer with adjustment for confounders. Increased risk was found among those who used wood or coal to heat their homes for more than 10 winters before the age of 18, with a significant increase in risk per winter. Resulting data suggest that further investigation of the relationship between heating-related air pollution levels and lung cancer risk is needed.     

Individual and combined effect of mercury and manganese on phenol and proline content in leaf and stem of mungbean seedlings

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczelk cv. Pusa Baisakhi seedlings were raised in individual (0, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm) and combined solutions (1 : 1, 10: 1, 1: 0 ppm Hg : Mn) of mercury and manganese for 6 days. Phenol and proline were found to accumulate in leaves in response to treatment with heavy metals. The magnitude of accumulation correlated with concentration of metals. However, a reverse trend was noticed in stem for phenol. Accumulation of phenol in response to heavy metal treatment was organ specific and occurred at higher rate in plant parts, which faced the stress mostly. However, accumulation of proline helped the plant to survive stress situation. In combined solutions, amelioration of mercurial toxicity by manganese was recorded.     

Myths and assumptions about human-wildlife conflict and coexistence

Recent extinctions often resulted from humans retaliating against wildlife that threatened people's interests or were perceived to threaten current or future interests. Today's subfield of human-wildlife conflict and coexistence (HWCC) grew out of an original anthropocentric concern with such real or perceived threats and then, starting in the mid-1990s, with protecting valued species from people. Recent work in ethics and law has shifted priorities toward coexistence between people and wild animals. To spur scientific progress and more effective practice, we examined 4 widespread assumptions about HWCC that need to be tested rigorously: scientists are neutral and objective about HWCC; current participatory, consensus-based decisions provide just and fair means to overcome challenges in HWCC; wildlife threats to human interests are getting worse; and wildlife damage to human interests is additive to other sources of damage. The first 2 assumptions are clearly testable, but if they are entangled can become a wicked problem and may need debunking as myths if they cannot be disentangled. Some assumptions have seldom or never been tested and those that have been tested appear dubious, yet the use of the assumptions continues in the practice and scholarship of HWCC. We call for tests of assumptions and debunking of myths in the scholarship of HWCC. Adherence to the principles of scientific integrity and application of standards of evidence can help advance our call. We also call for practitioners and interest groups to improve the constitutive process prior to decision making about wildlife. We predict these steps will hasten scientific progress toward evidence-based interventions and improve the fairness, ethics, and legality of coexistence strategies.     

Heavy metals and pesticides in anuran spawn and tadpoles,water, and sediment

High concentrations of metals (cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc) and of lindane were measured in the sediment and in the spawn and tadpoles of Bufo bufo, Rana dalmatina, and Rana ridibunda from two Austrian locations. Residues in spawn suggest maternal transfer. Increase of the metal concentrations from spawn to advanced tadpole stage is explained by the larval microphaguous feeding habits which cause high exposition of the tadpoles to substances concentrating in sediments and suspended particles. Metal and pesticide concentrations in spawn and tadpoles are toxic to various other aquatic organisms and are furthermore considered to be potentially hazardous to the anurans themselves. The results are conform with world‐wide observations of contamination of anuran larvae with heavy metals, and prove the significance of non‐point source chemical exposure due to allochthonous toxicant input by wind load and precipitation.     

Hotspot detection and clustering: ways and means

This paper reviews the development of methods for the analysis of hotspots and clustering. Discussion focusses on different data types and the usefulness of density estimation, scan testing and model-based approaches to clustering. Various application areas are considered ranging from ecology, over health mapping to genomics and landscape analysis. A discussion of software availability is also provided.     

有机无机肥配施比例对蔬菜产量和品质及土壤重金属含量的影响

关于蔬菜施有机肥和它与无机肥的合理配施比例,对蔬菜的产量和品质有重要影响,对土壤有机质和重金属含量也有影响。为控制施禽畜粪类有机肥对蔬菜的负面影响,探讨蔬菜的合理施用量和有机/无机肥配施比例,在不同质地的土壤上进行田间试验。结果表明,(1)施过量禽畜粪类有机肥对试验蔬菜产量和品质都会产生不良影响,小白菜(Brassica chinensis)和茄子(Eggplant)施禽畜粪超过22500kg/hm2、马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum L.)超过24000kg/hm2时,其产量不再增加,成活率下降,维生素C含量下降,多个试验均表现出有机肥用量增加而小白菜硝酸盐随之增加的典型特征;同时不论土壤的质地轻重,蔬菜重金属Pb有随禽畜粪用量增加而提高的趋势;在质地较轻的土壤上,蔬菜重金属Cd、As有随禽畜粪用量增加而提高的趋势;小白菜施禽畜粪肥超过7500kg/hm2、茄子和冬种马铃薯施禽畜粪肥超过75000kg/hm2,收获后土壤重金属含量高于对照和施无机肥的总Cr和As。(2)蔬菜单独施用有机肥的合适施用量,小白菜在较粘重的土壤上可施到22500kg/hm2,但有机肥与无机肥配合施用时有机肥用量可减量;茄子合适施用量应在22500kg/hm2左右;冬种马铃薯合适施用量应在24000kg/hm2左右。(3)蔬菜的有机/无机肥合理配比,小白菜、茄子、和冬种马铃薯施肥的有机氮与无机氮之比均为0.25∶1至0.5∶1时其产量和品质水平较佳。     

Morphological and histological changes during the growth and starvation of herring and plaice larvae

Reared herring (Clupea harengus L.) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) were examined for morphological and histological changes during growth and starvation. The growth rate of herring larvae of 0.22 mm/day was less than that reported for wild stock, but this difference was attributed to survival of runts in laboratory. Larval plaice had a growth rate of 0.16 mm/day. The relative condition factor (antilogarithm of intercept of length-weight line) was used to assess condition throughout the larval stages. Starvation resulted in a progressive collapse of the larval body, especially of the ventral body surface around the pectoral girdle of both species (assessed by the pectoral angle) and of the spacing between the organs of the head in herring. There was a breakdown of the herring gut with decreases in epithelial cell height and catabolism of the connective tissue coat and a marked reduction in the transverse sectional area of the plaice liver. The changes in the pectoral angle in both herring and plaice and the eye height to head height ratio in herring should be useful to fishery biologists for assessing nutritional condition, even on board ship.     

乡镇企业可持续发展与小城镇建设

通过对乡镇企业的经济效益、环境效益和社会效益以及小城镇发展的优越性分析可知，乡镇企业不宜在农村发展，应该在小城镇中发展。     

湿解产物与堆肥在土壤中的稳定性和腐熟度比较分析

研究了不同培养阶段湿解产物与土壤混合物(HTS)的物质变化特征、稳定性和腐熟度,并与堆肥和土壤混合物(CS)及自然土壤进行了对比。结果表明:在培养过程中,所有HTS和CS的参数变化趋势相似,HTS的温度变化接近于CS的温度变化,稍高于自然土壤的温度,低于环境温度;pH值变化不大,基本稳定在7.6左右;在培养初期,水溶性有机碳比有机态氮w(WSC)/w(Norg)小于0.55,种子发芽系数(GI)高于80%;培养14d后,w(C)/w(N)降低至小于20,w(NH4 -N)/w(NO3--N)渐渐趋于稳定至小于0.16,GI基本高于100%;49d后,HTS的CO2释放率接近CS和自然土壤的CO2释放率;种子发芽系数的变化表明,湿解产物中含有更丰富的营养元素,可以促进植物根系的生长;相关性分析显示,w(WSC)/w(Norg)、w(NH4 -N)/w(NO3--N)和GI可以作为湿解产物腐熟度的评价指标。综合各项参数表明,湿解产物在土壤中会很快达到稳定,可以安全应用。     

香芋高产、优质栽培技术与产品分级及加工

香芋是多年生宿根草本植物,属天南星科(Araceae)一年生栽培,是我省重要的特种蔬菜之一,随着农业结构调整步伐的加快,香芋的种植面积也在不断扩大,为了提高香芋的产量和品质,达到绿色蔬菜的标准,该文提出了香芋高产、优质栽培技术与产品分级及加工.表3,参5.     

Instream and offstream environmental conditions and stream biotic integrity: Importance of scale and site similarities for learning and prediction

Two different methods to predict biotic integrity were tested and compared in the present paper. The first one tries to predict the fish indices of biotic integrity (IBI) at the state or regional scale based on the most similar observations to a specific target site of interest using the simple to implement k-nearest neighbors (or kNN) method. Two different distance functions were considered to find the k-nearest neighbors: the Euclidean and the Mahalanobis. The second method was applied on the same datasets and consisted of a step-wise multiple regression. The two modeling approaches yielded similar results but kNN proved to be more time-efficient and very fast computationally for the given dataset sizes, which allowed applying a leave-one-out cross validation.In an attempt to reveal the importance of scale in the prediction of IBI, regression models were constructed at the state (or regional) scale and at the more refined cluster of sampling sites scale. Clusters of sites were extracted using Kohonen's self-organizing maps (SOM) followed by k-means clustering of the SOM neurons. Cluster-level regression models, constructed after site patterning, performed better in IBI prediction than global regression models constructed without any previous site patterning. The importance of identifying groups of sites with similar environmental characteristics affecting the IBI was revealed. The combined use of site patterning and regression modeling for IBI prediction also helped identifying important variables acting at the local scale which remain latent at the global scale.     

Metals and organic components of sewage and sludges

Sewage and sludge samples were collected from rural areas of Vellore district. The metals like Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ca and Mg were determined by Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). For this determination HCl - HNO3 and 4N HNO3 extracts were used. The total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and organic matter (OM) have also been determined to evaluate the presence of organic and metallic contents in sewage and sludge environment.