Visual prey detection by near-infrared cues in a fish

Many animal species are able to perceive light wavelengths beyond those visible to humans. While numerous species are additionally sensitive to short wavelengths (UV), long wavelengths such as the near-infrared spectrum (NIR) are supposed to be unsuitable for visual perception. Here, we experimentally show that under exclusive NIR illumination, the cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus displays a clear foraging response towards NIR reflecting prey. Additional control experiments without prey indicate that the observed behavior is not a mere response to the NIR environment. These results give first evidence for NIR visual sensitivity in a functional context and thus challenge the current view about NIR perception.     

Food remains in Confuciusornis sanctus suggest a fish diet

Despite hundreds of excellent fossils of Confuciusornis, the most abundant group of birds in the Early Cretaceous, ‘Jehol Biota’ in China, there is yet no indication of the food choice of these birds. Here, we describe fish remains preserved in the alimentary system of a specimen of Confuciusornis sanctus from the Jiufotang Formation. This find is about five million years younger than all previously published confuciusornithid birds from the Yixian Formation. Although it is unknown how common fish was in the diet of Confuciusornis, the find does not support previous hypotheses that it fed on plants or grain.     

应用等效质量方法确定间接排放企业的排污许可限值——以常州市为例

排污许可证制度是实施总量控制和减排任务的重要手段,是改善流域水环境质量的有效措施。间接排放企业是排污许可管理的重要对象,其排污许可限值是排污许可证发放的核心内容,我国关于间接排放企业排污许可限值的核定还没有统一的规定。通过借鉴美国国家污染物排放削减系统(NPDES)预处理机制,提出采用等效质量方法来确定间接排放企业排污许可限值,并以常州市某污水处理厂为研究对象,对该污水处理厂接纳的6家间接排放企业的污染物排污许可限值进行了研究。结果表明:采用等效质量方法计算出6家企业的等效质量负荷限值,结合我国现有排放标准浓度限值,可确定6家纳管企业COD_Cr的排污许可限值。等效质量方法在新建接管企业、现有企业停止接管和提高水质排放标准等多种情况下,能兼顾纳管企业的个体差异,方便灵活、便于应用。     

Oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury in a high voltage discharge reactor

Effects of the voltage waveform, discharge tooth wheel number and CO2/NO/SO2 concentration in the simulated flue gas on Hg0 oxidation were investigated using a link tooth wheel-cylinder reactor energized by di erent high voltage power supplies. Negative DC discharge induced more ozone production and a higher Hg0 oxidation e ciency than positive DC discharge and 12 kHz AC discharge. The discharge tooth wheel number had almost no e ect on the maximum Hg0 oxidation e ciency. The allowable supplied voltage decreased with the increase of discharge tooth wheel number. CO2 could stabilize the discharge process and increase the maximum voltage for a stable discharge. It has also been found that NO consumed O3 induced by high voltage discharge, thereby decreased Hg0 oxidation e ciency; while SO2 had a slight promoting e ect on Hg0 oxidation.     

Decomposition of trifluoromethane in a dielectric barrier discharge non-thermal plasma reactor

The decomposition of trifluoromethane (CHF₃) was carried out using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The effects of reactor temperature, electric power, initial concentration and oxygen content were examined. The DBD reactor was able to completely destroy CHF₃ with alumina beads as a packing material. The decomposition efficiency increased with increasing electric power and reactor temperature. The destruction of CHF₃ gradually increased with the addition of O₂ up to 2%, but further increase in the oxygen content led to a decrease in the decomposition efficiency. The degradation pathways were explained with the identified by-products. The main by-products from CHF₃ were found to be COF₂, CF₄, CO₂ and CO although the COF₂ and CF₄ disappeared when the plasma were combined with alumina catalyst.