Observations on the food of Antedon bifida (Echinodermata: Crinoidea)

The gut contents of specimens of the temperate crinoid Antedon bifida (Pennant) were collected from Dalkey, County Dublin, at monthly intervals for 1 yr, and occasionally from other areas around the Irish coast. Quantitative analysis showed the main components to be detritus (65%), plankton (18%) and inorganic particles (17%). This composition was remarkably constant throughout the year and at all locations, the main variation being in the plankton which was at a minimum in February (4%) and reached a maximum in August (36%). Food particle collection appeared to be nonselective within the appropriate size group, the essential feature of a particle being that it would fit into the ambulacral groove. Fragile planktonic diatoms and dinoflagellates, which occurred in blooms in summer and autumn, were digested by A. bifida, but more robust diatoms passed intact through the gut. Histochemical investigations indicate that the bulk of the detritus is refractory, and it is suggested that its associated micro-flora and micro-fauna may be a major source of nutriment for this crinoid.     

Patterns in reproductive dynamics of burrowing ghost shrimp Trypaea australiensis from small to intermediate scales

Many studies have examined latitudinal differences in reproduction of marine invertebrates, but few have measured variation at small to intermediate scales (kilometres to hundreds of kilometres), which may confound comparisons across broader geographic regions. Here, we examined variation in the reproductive biology of a little-studied species of burrowing ghost shrimp (Trypaea australiensis) at spatial scales ranging from km (between sites within estuaries) to 100s of km (among estuaries), over a 2-year period in south-eastern Australia. Sex ratios of populations were consistently biased towards females through time and space. Although reproduction started in summer months across all spatial scales, there was a pattern of earlier spawning from southern to northern estuaries. Integration of results from previous studies of T. australiensis supported a similar pattern of earlier breeding from high to low latitudes. Fecundity of shrimp increased linearly with female size, but the relationship varied inconsistently across the different spatial scales. Similarly, sizes at maturity varied from small to intermediate scales and observed patterns were not consistent with general predictions e.g. shrimp were smaller and ovigerous at smaller sizes at sites in the southern-most estuary, compared to estuaries further north. We found no differences in the sizes of embryos across the different spatial scales, but confirm that T. australiensis employs a strategy of high fecundity and small embryo size compared to other thalassinidean shrimp. Our results suggest that factors at smaller scales (e.g. food availability) may be important in affecting reproductive dynamics of T. australiensis, but further research is needed in testing hypotheses about patterns observed here. A lack of similar studies on other marine organisms remains an impediment to understanding life-history strategies and the sustainable management and conservation of populations.     

西北大学重视减灾人才培养

西北大学是一所具有百年历史的综合大学。该校根据“百年大计、教育为本”和“减灾始于学校”的要求,重视防灾减灾人才培养。在亚洲备灾中心和国家有关部门的指导下,学校设立了“中国西部综合减灾与公共安全研究中心”,积极为陕西和西部各省区防灾减灾事业提供科技智力支     

延长冷挤压凸模使用寿命的研究

W6Mo5Cr4V2钢冷挤压凸模,应用1200℃淬火、560℃回火三次,磨削加工,软氮化和滚压的复合强化工艺,可以改善其表面凹凸状况,产生较大的残余压应力,使其寿命得到大幅度提高。     

Enhanced land treatment of petroleum-contaminated soils using solid peroxygen materials

A pilot field study evaluated whether adding solid peroxygen materials during land treatment could cost effectively accelerate cleanup at a site contaminated with petroleum-related compounds. Five test cells were constructed containing approximately five cubic yards of soil contaminated with 300–400 mg/kg of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Three cells received treatment with solid peroxygen materials (either MgO₂ or CaO₂), while the other two cells served as controls (no peroxygen amendment). Adding solid peroxygen compounds effectively reduced the hydrocarbon contamination in the soils and decreased the treatment time. During this time, the concentration of TPH in soil in the three treatment cells decreased. In contrast, there was little loss of TPH from the two control cells simulating traditional land treatment. Adding the solid peroxygen materials reduced the total site remediation time, thereby reducing the overall costs.     

Fungal elicitors of the phytoalexin response in higher plants

Several types of fungal molecules including cell wall polysaccharides, polypeptides, glycoproteins and lipid molecules have been found to serve as elicitors of phytoalexins in higher plants. Recent work has shown that an extracellular enzyme, endopolygalacturonase, from culture filtrates of the fungusRhizopus stolonifer elicits the biosynthesis of an antifungal antibiotic, casbene, in extracts of treated castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) seedlings. A suggested mode of action of this elicitor in the plant in which fragments of the plant cell wall released through the catalytic action of the enzyme serve as secondary elicitors to trigger the plant response is proposed on the basis of preliminary observations. Possible modes of interaction of other types of fungal elicitors with plants are also discussed.     

Oral teratoma (epignathus) with intracranial extension: A report of two cases

Epignathi are unusual congenital tumours presenting as oropharyngeal masses, often resulting in rapid asphyxia following birth. Occasionally, intracranial extension of the tumour is present, and two such cases are described. The presence of this complication, diagnosable by ultrasound examination, indicates that aggressive surgical treatment is inappropriate.