Identification of potential biomarkers for diazinon exposure to Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) using annealing control primers

A new differential display-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on annealing control primers was used to screen and identify potential biomarkers from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in medaka exposed to sub-lethal concentration of diazinon (100 ppb). Among the differentially expressed genes identified, the majority were in functional categories of protein biosynthesis, transport and metabolism according to the gene ontology classification. The differential expression of ribosomal protein genes was quantified by real time PCR. The genes encoding ribosomal proteins including L3 and S17 were selected as potential biomarkers for diazinon exposure in medaka fish.     

Carbon dioxide adsorption and cycloaddition reaction of epoxides using chitosan–graphene oxide nanocomposite as a catalyst

One of today's major challenges is to provide green materials for a cleaner environment. We have conducted studies on carbon dioxide(CO2) adsorption and conversion to valuable products by an ecofriendly approach based in chitosan/graphene oxide(CSGO) nanocomposite film. Rheological behavior indicates that the CSGO has a better solvation property than the pure chitosan. An adsorption capacity of 1.0152 mmol CO_2/g of CSGO nanocomposite at4.6 bar was observed. The catalytic behavior of the CSGO nanocomposite in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide(n-Bu4 NI) as co-catalyst was evaluated for the cycloaddition of CO_2 to epoxides, to give cyclic carbonates, in the absence of any solvent. These results strongly suggest that the CSGO nanocomposite may open new vistas towards the development of ecofriendly material for catalytic conversion and adsorption of CO_2 on industrial scale.     

Birds defend oil palms from herbivorous insects.

Top-down forces are expected to be important in regulating herbivore populations in most agricultural systems where primary productivity is high and species diversity is low. Under such conditions, trophic cascades are predicted to occur when predator populations are reduced or removed. Studies on how predator removal indirectly affects herbivory rates in agricultural systems are lacking. Through a bird-exclosure experiment, I test the hypothesis that insectivorous birds indirectly defend oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) from herbivorous insects. Results show that bird exclusion significantly increased herbivory damage to oil palms, and that the size of this exclusion effect increased with bird density, although the latter result was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that insectivorous birds deliver a natural pest control service for oil palm agriculture, which is important not only for the direct benefits it delivers for human welfare, but also in strengthening the economic justifications for conserving the remaining natural habitats and biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.     

中国、印度及环境

——中印合作可以降低生物多样性损失、减轻气候变化并减少森林砍伐。中国和印度这两个新兴的世界经济大国将对21世纪世界环境发挥重要甚至主导作用。在未来几年内,两国的经济增长率预期将维持8%～9%。在世界很多国家出现经济危机情况下,中印两国2009年仍实现了国内生产总值高增长(中国:8.4%,印度:6.2%,世     

Distribution of organochlorine pesticides in sediments from Kyeonggi Bay and nearby areas, Korea

The residues of oragnochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 62 sediments from Kyeonggi Bay and nearby areas in the west coast of Korea were determined. The concentrations of chlordanes (CHLs) and DDTs showed a distinctive gradient of contamination between inner and outer sites of Incheon North Harbor (INH), whereas hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were uniformly distributed at most sites studied. The distribution of CHLs and DDTs was strongly correlated with total organic carbon contents in sediments while HCH residue levels were independent. Relationship between contaminant's concentration and environmental factors was analyzed by principal component analysis. Distribution patterns of T-CHLs, T-DDTs, and TOC were similar while those of T-HCHs, mud content, and grain size were similar. The notable contamination by CHLs and DDTs was found in INH where these levels were one or two orders of magnitude higher than other sites. The dominant OCPs in sediments were beta-HCH among HCH compounds, trans-chlordane among CHL compounds, and p,p'-DDD among DDT compounds. The higher concentrations and compositional pattern of OCPs in INH sediments indicate that INH is in the vicinity of the source.     

4R of rubber waste management: current and outlook

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Excessive accumulation of rubber waste necessitates the need to revisit the effectiveness of the existing rubber waste management system. This...