Male-biased predation of a cave fish by a giant water bug

Male-biased predation has been described from several epigean species, and in many cases, intrinsic differences between the sexes (such as male ornaments) have been suggested as an explanation. Here we report on male-biased predation of a cave fish (Poecilia mexicana) by an aquatic insect (Belostoma sp.) in a Mexican sulfur cave. P. mexicana use aquatic surface respiration (ASR) to survive in their sulfidic, hypoxic habitat. We found that males typically exhibit more ASR activity than females, which leads to increased exposure to the sit-and-wait predator that catches fish near the water surface. Our finding is novel, because male vulnerability to predation is not directly related to male traits involved in courtship, but rather due to other sexual differences in behavior and ultimately, oxygen demands.     

Predicting recovery of a fish population after heavy metal impacts

Bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, in part of the Hyco Reservoir (North Carolina) were decimated by toxicological and developmental effects of selenium leached from coal ash settling ponds during 1970–1980. Bluegill are especially sensitive to elevated concentrations of the heavy metal, and near-complete recruitment failure of zero-year olds was observed. To predict the potential recovery after cessation of heavy metal contamination, a demographic model was created for the bluegill population based on data collected from ongoing biological monitoring at the lake. The model included density dependence and used Monte Carlo methods to analyze the effects of natural environmental variability. The life history of the species suggests that once selenium poisoning stopped, the population could recover to pre-impact abundances within 2 years, although the increased abundance would be unevenly distributed among age groups. However, following this increase in abundance, we predicted a population crash due to the time-delayed effects of selenium on the population resulting from the strong nonlinearity of density dependence in this species. The sharp increase in population size itself precipitates the crash which, if not forecast in advance, could cause considerable concern among managers, regulators and the interested public. This example shows that it can be important to predict ecological consequences to understand the nature and duration of biological recovery of toxicological insults. Without the understanding provided by the ecological analysis, the population decline would probably be completely misinterpreted as the failure of the mitigation program.     

杂食性鱼类排泄物中藻类光能活性研究

借助叶绿素荧光技术,通过对杂食性鱼类鲫鱼(Crucian Carp)和金鲫鱼(Gold Crucian Carp)摄食微囊藻(Microcysis aeruginosa)后排泄物的培养,从鱼类排泄物藻类叶绿素荧光活性的角度探讨了杂食性鱼类在控藻上的应用.结果表明,鱼类摄食对微囊藻生长及叶绿素荧光参数均有显著影响(P<0.05).鲫鱼组的叶绿素荧光参数ΦPSII从第3d开始,Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm、ETR和qP从第5d开始随培养时间的延长而增加,而NPQ始终呈下降趋势.金鲫鱼组的叶绿素荧光参数(Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm、ΦPSII、ETR、qP)在培养期间一直呈降低趋势.鲫鱼组的Chl a浓度与细胞密度在培养期间先下降再上升,最后恢复至对照组水平,且Chl a浓度同部分叶绿素荧光参数(Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm、ΦPSII)呈现极显著正相关(P<0.01);金鲫鱼组的Chl a浓度与细胞密度于实验期间均下降,实验期间一直低于对照组,且两参数均与叶绿素荧光参数(Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm、ΦPSII、ETR、qP)呈极显著正相关(P<0.01).可见,微囊藻经鲫鱼摄食后,其叶绿素光合及生长活性经过短暂的下降后会逐渐恢复,而金鲫鱼可有效降低微囊藻活性,但金鲫鱼作为一种观赏鱼类,不适宜在大面积水体放养.     

Sensory reception of the primer pheromone ethyl oleate

Social work force distribution in honeybee colonies critically depends on subtle adjustments of an age-related polyethism. Pheromones play a crucial role in adjusting physiological and behavioral maturation of nurse bees to foragers. In addition to primer effects of brood pheromone and queen mandibular pheromone—both were shown to influence onset of foraging—direct worker–worker interactions influence adult behavioral maturation. These interactions were narrowed down to the primer pheromone ethyl oleate, which is present at high concentrations in foragers, almost absent in young bees and was shown to delay the onset of foraging. Based on chemical analyses, physiological recordings from the antenna (electroantennograms) and the antennal lobe (calcium imaging), and behavioral assays (associative conditioning of the proboscis extension response), we present evidence that ethyl oleate is most abundant on the cuticle, received by olfactory receptors on the antenna, processed in glomeruli of the antennal lobe, and learned in olfactory centers of the brain. The results are highly suggestive that the primer pheromone ethyl oleate is transmitted and perceived between individuals via olfaction at close range.     

Impacts of power-plant cooling systems on estuarine fish populations: the Hudson River after 25 years

In the early 1970s, impacts of power-plant cooling systems on fish populations were a major source of controversy. The most thoroughly studied and controversial power plants were the Indian Point, Bowline, and Roseton generating stations on the Hudson River. The assessments performed for these three plants were unique in employing river-wide sampling data and mathematical models designed to predict the effects of cooling-water withdrawals on the short- and long-term abundance of striped bass and other important fish populations. A Settlement Agreement in 1981 led to the establishment of a long-term monitoring program that continues to generate valuable information concerning the impacts of power-plant cooling systems on estuarine ecosystems. This paper evaluates the results generated by the past quarter century of Hudson River, with the objective of evaluating the utility of the information for future 316(b) assessments. Specific recommendations are made concerning: (1) methods for quantitative assessment of cooling-system impacts at new vs operating facilities; (2) research that would improve the efficiency and accuracy of assessments; and (3) the need to integrate cooling system impact studies into a general framework for management of aquatic ecosystems.     

Sensory regulation of the pleuroalar muscles in the migratory locust

The Science of Nature -     

室内空气质量的认识盲区--新风量

关于新风量的调查研究西方国家开展得比较早,20世纪90年代初,从对加拿大、美国、西欧、南美85栋IAQ（室内空气质量）较差的建筑的调查结果看,在导致IAQ较差的所有原因中,通风不足排在第一位,占57%,其次是室内污染源增多.美国职业安全与卫生研究所的调查也表明,影响IAQ的因素很多,在室内空气可能影响人体健康的几大因素中,通风不良占到48%,室内空气污染占到18%,建筑物构件占3.5%.室内空气品质与气候国际协会成员、Indoor Air期刊主编Sundell教授对瑞典160幢建筑进行研究,发现新风量越大,发生建筑病综合症的风险就越小.     

OH自由基降解二英OCDD的反应机理及动力学研究

采用量子化学计算研究了OH自由基降解八氯代二苯并对-二英（OCDD）的微观反应机理,计算分析了微观反应进程,结果表明该反应存在两条途径：①α-氯取代：1,4,6,9位置氯取代,该路径反应活化能较高,反应难以进行,并以中间产物积聚,无法使OCDD的毒性消失;②β-氯取代：2,3,7,8位置氯取代,该路径的反应能相对较低,且能使OCDD的毒性消失,是有效降解OCDD的主要途径.结合过渡态理论,计算获得动力学参数：反应活化能为8.32 kJ·mol^-1（B3LYP/6-311G++（d,g）//B3LYP/6-31G（d））,阿仑尼乌斯表达式为k=1.29×10¹⁴exp（-1049.6/T）（cm³·mole^-1·s^-1）.这与文献实验结果取得了很好的吻合,说明本文对OH自由基降解OCDD的反应机理及动力学研究是合理且可靠的.本文的计算结果可为催化氧化降解二英的进一步研究提供理论参考.     

modifications of ultradian and orcadian rhythms of fetal heart rate after fetal-maternal adrenal gland suppression: A double blind study

In order to verify whether fetal and maternal adrenal gland suppression induces effects on fetal behaviour, triamcinolone was administered to five healthy pregnant women at 35 weeks of gestation. Five patients of the same gestational age were used as control. Fetal heart rate (FHR) and fetal movements were recorded continuously over 2-h interval by means of cardiotocography. After 3 weeks (38 weeks of gestation) the recordings were repeated without drug administration. Cortisol, adrenocorticotropin hormone, 17 β-estradiol and unconjugated estriol were measured at the same time every 2 h in maternal peripheral plasma. At 35 weeks we found a loss of circadian rhythms of the hormones investigated and modifications of ultradian and circadian patterns of FHR in the treated group with respect to the control. No differences in hormonal and biophysical parameters were found between the two groups after the end of treatment (38 weeks). These data suggest that the inhibition of fetal and maternal adrenal glands could cause modifications of FHR patterns.     

渠式生化反应器处理城市污水的研究

采用渠式生化反应器、交替好氧缺氧工艺处理城市污水 ,当水力停留时间为 1 0 h,空气阀开闭周期为 3 0 / 3 0 min时 ,COD的去除率达 86.8% ,T-N的去除率达 63 .6%。在相同的反应条件下 ,流速对处理效果的影响不大。试验结果表明利用污水渠处理城市污水在技术上是可行的。     

长期饥饿后厌氧氨氧化工艺的运行及恢复性能研究

为研究如何快速恢复在突发状况下长期断流的厌氧氨氧化工艺的活性,比较分析了3个厌氧氨氧化反应器的脱氮性能及微生物种群变化.分别为R1(生物滤柱)、R2(膜生物反应器,MBR)、R3(MBR),其中R1与R2进水基质浓度相同,R2与R3反应器形式相同,进水基质浓度不同.结果表明:R1、R2、R3中的厌氧氨氧化污泥分别经过39d、93d、76d得到恢复,总氮去除率分别恢复至87.0%、83.4%、87.6%,总氮去除负荷分别恢复至0.359,0.114,0.244kg/(m³·d).R1与R2相比,厌氧氨氧化生物滤柱能够承受较高的水力负荷,长期断流后具有较高的稳定性,且更容易恢复.R2与R3相比,在进水基质浓度较高的条件下,厌氧氨氧化菌具有充足的营养底物,且高基质水平形成的底物浓度压力更有利于提升氨氮与亚硝酸盐氮在污泥内部的传质效果,恢复效果更好.高通量测序结果表明,3个反应器在恢复前(后)CandidatusKuenenia的相对丰度分别为17.3%(32.0%)、1.6%(2.6%)、1.8%(6.0%),恢复后R1中相对丰度最高.     

Supercritical water oxidation for the destruction of toxic organic wastewaters： A review

The destruction of toxic organic wastewaters from munitions demilitarization and complex industrial chemical clearly becomes an overwhelming problem if left to conventional treatment processes. Two options, incineration and supercritical water oxidation （SCWO）, exist for the complete destruction of toxic organic wastewaters. Incinerator has associated problems such as very high cost and public resentment; on the other hand, SCWO has proved to be a very promising method for the treatment of many different wastewaters with extremely efficient organic waste destruction 99.99% with none of the emissions associated with incineration. In this review, the concepts of SCWO, result and present perspectives of application, and industrial status of SCWO are critically examined and discussed.     

电晕-吸收法治理甲苯废气实验研究

采用脉冲电晕法结合吸收装置处理模拟甲苯废气.电晕反应器为线-筒式,吸收装置接在电晕反应器后.研究结果表明,提高载气中氧气体积分数有利于甲苯的降解,反应后的废气经吸收处理后,甲苯的去除率提高了约15%,对浓度为1334 mg·m-3的甲苯去除率达到了75%以上.通过对吸收后产物分析,发现甲苯降解的主要有机产物为苯甲酸.     

Inhibitory influence of the connecting strands in fish

The Science of Nature -     

长期储存亚硝化颗粒污泥的活化及菌群结构变化

采用无机人工配水,通过逐级提高进水氨氮负荷(0.32~0.64kg/(m³·d))和设定合适的初始游离氨浓度(3.7~7.2mg/L),在SBR反应器中对常温(24~29℃)下储存1a的亚硝化颗粒污泥(NGS)进行了活化,并使用Miseq高通量测序技术分析了污泥中微生物多样性的变化情况.结果表明,NGS的亚硝化性能可在短时间内恢复.运行8d后,反应器的氨氮去除率达到95%以上,亚硝态氮累积率超过了80%,但污泥粒径持续减小,胞外聚合物(EPS)含量明显降低.活化至第20d,NGS的氨氮比去除速率和亚硝态氮比累积速率分别达到24.6mg/(gVSS·h)、23.8mg/(gVSS·h),平均粒径稳定在0.5mm左右.在活化期间,绝大部分厌氧、异养菌属被洗脱,污泥的微生物多样性显著降低.Nitrosomonas等氨氧化菌的相对丰度由活化前的1%上升至约58%,同时,Nitrospira等硝化菌的生长受到了选择性抑制.这意味着即使经历长期的常温储存,NGS仍可作为SBR的接种污泥,实现反应器的快速启动.     

基于盲数理论的湖泊总磷D-BM优化模型

针对湖泊总磷负荷模型中各参数及总磷规划中排污量的不确定性,运用盲数理论,将Dillon模型、盲数模型和费用效益分析模型结合,建立了湖泊总磷规划D-BM优化模型.在总磷规划实例中,当3个近期治理方案的总磷目标浓度分别为0.30,0.20,0.15mg/L时,根据D-BM模型求出3个备选治理方案的费用效益指标分别为0.932、1.480和1.448.选择第2个备选方案为湖泊富营养化最佳治理方案.