Food sources of macrobenthos in an estuarine seagrass habitat (Zostera noltii) as revealed by dual stable isotope signatures

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was used to examine the resources and position of macrobenthos in an estuarine seagrass food web in two sampling moments, during summer and winter. The contribution of each food source to the carbon requirements of consumers was estimated by a mixing model. The used carbon sources were largely seagrass associated, although seagrass tissues were utilized by only few species, and equally contributed to microphytobenthos and suspended particulate organic matter. Based on isotopic data, Lucinidae bivalves have an alternative trophic pathway via symbiosis with chemoautotrophic bacteria. Resource utilization inside and adjacent to seagrass beds did not differ significantly, implying that seagrass-associated inputs extend well beyond the borders of the vegetation patches.     

Environmental effects on mineral accumulation in rice grains and identification of ecological specific QTLs

Optimizing the beneficial mineral elements in rice grains is of interest for rice breeders. To study the environmental effects on mineral accumulation in rice grains, we grew a double-haploid (DH) population derived from the cross between cultivars Chunjiang 06 (CJ06, a japonica rice) and TN1 (an indica rice) under two different ecological environments (Lingshui and Hangzhou, China) and determined the content of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn in brown rice. These contents show transgressive variation among the DH lines. Subsequently, the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for mineral accumulation in rice grain were mapped on the chromosomes using CJ06/TN1 population. For the 7 mineral elements investigated, 23 and 9 QTLs were identified for Lingshui and Hangzhou, respectively. Of these, 24 QTLs were reported for the first time in this study and 8 QTLs are consistent with previous reports. Only 2 QTLs for Mg accumulation have been detected in both environments, indicating that mineral accumulation QTLs in rice grains are largely environment dependent. Additionally, co-localizations of QTLs for Mn and Zn, Mg and P, and Mg and Mn accumulation have been observed, implying that these loci might be involved in the accumulation of different elements. Furthermore, the QTLs for the accumulation of Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn were mapped to a region close to each other on chromosomes 8 and 9, suggesting that clusters of genes exist on chromosomes 8 and 9. Further characterization of these QTLs will provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanism responsible for mineral accumulation in rice grains.     

Levels and distribution of trace metals in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic

Trace metal contents (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been measured in 27 surface sediment samples collected from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic. The analyses yielded concentration values (in mg kg^?1) of 0.13–0.63 for Cd, 11.89–21.90 for Co, 48.65–81.84 for Cr, 21.26–36.60 for Cu, 299.59–683.48 for Mn, 22.43–35.39 for Ni, 10.68–36.59 for Pb, 50.28–199.07 for Zn and 8.09–65.34 for Hg (in ng g^?1), respectively. Relative cumulative frequency method has been used to define the baseline values of these metals, which (in mg kg^?1) were 0.14 for Cd, 13.56 for Co, 57.86 for Cr, 25.14 for Cu, 364.08 for Mn, 26.22 for Ni, 17.46 for Pb, 70.49 for Zn and 9.76 for Hg (in ng g^?1), respectively. The enrichment factor analysis indicated that Hg showed some extent of anthropogenic pollution, while Pb, Zn and Cd showed limited anthropogenic contamination in the study areas.     

Lead availability in soils from Portugal’s Centre Region with special reference to bioaccessibility

Previous environmental biomonitoring studies indicated higher environmental lead (Pb) pollution levels at the districts of Aveiro and Leiria (Portugal). In evaluating the risk for human health, which is associated with contaminated soils after oral uptake, total soil concentrations have generally been held against criteria established from toxicological studies based upon the assumption that the uptake of the contaminant is similar in the toxicological studies and from the soils assessed. This assumption is not always valid, as most toxicological studies are carried out with soluble forms of the contaminants, whereas many soil contaminants are or become embedded in the soil matrix and thus exhibit limited availability. This study intends to estimate the soluble fraction of Pb in the soils from central Portugal, and to assess the bioaccessibility of Pb and, hence, infer exposure and risk for human health. Yet, as the physical–chemical properties of the soil exert some control over the solubility of Pb in the surface environment, the relation between such soil properties and the estimated soluble and/or bioaccessible fractions of Pb is also investigated. Other objective, with a more practical nature, was to give some contribution to find a suitable in vitro mimetic of the gastrointestinal tract environment. The results indicate relatively low total metal concentrations in the soils, even if differences between regions were observed. The Aveiro district has the higher total Pb concentration and the metal is in more soluble forms, that is, geoavailable. Soils with higher concentrations of soluble Pb show higher estimates of bioaccessible Pb. Soil pH seems to influence human bioaccessibility of Pb.     

血小板功能与动脉粥样硬化的研究进展

由于多种遗传因素和环境因素的影响,动脉粥样硬化的发病机制与血栓形成、脂质浸润及损伤炎症反应等有关.研究证实,血小板参与了动脉粥样硬化的形成过程,但其机制十分复杂,可能与血小板对内膜的损伤,释放出的细胞因子,以及相关脂蛋白的调节相关.     

Status of facilities for fire safety in hotels

This paper presents the results of a research work which analysed the status of fire precaution systems in hotels in Spain.Our field research involved visits to a total of 146 hotels during 2004. In order to examine the fire safety of these facilities we made use of the official checklist of the Spanish administrative body competent on the matter. The checklist monitors documentary and technical requirements as stated by the current fire protection regulations for buildings. As far as fire precaution systems are concerned, most of the defects detected had to do with either documentary issues (for example, absence of a technical installation project or certificates of compulsory maintenance contracts for the equipment) or technical issues, such as the absence of smoke detection and alarm devices, defective signage or difficult access to firefighting equipment (fire extinguishers and hydrants). Beach hotels present a higher safety level than city hotels. The lowest safety standards are found in isolated hotels, i.e., neither beach nor city hotels, usually in small towns or away from centres of population. Of all the hotels visited, the safety level was also higher in those subject to the regulations inspiring the checklist.     

乡村产业结构评价--以云南省永胜县为例

乡村产业结构的合理化对农村经济、农民收入、农业生产决策及国民经济发展都有着重要意义,对这种合理化的评价一直是乡村地理学与农业经济学的重要研究内容。在探讨乡村产业结构内涵的基础上,利用产值结构指标、劳动力构成指标和结构变动度指标建立乡村产业结构的评价指标体系,并以此对云南省永胜县近20年来产业结构演化进行个案评价。结果表明,永胜县乡村产业结构正向合理化方向发展,但还存在自然资源尚未得到合理利用、三次产业不协调与农业内部结构不合理、不协调等主要问题,有待进一步完善、合理化。研究同时指出了永胜县乡村产业结构调整的基本对策,即调整农业发展方向,持续稳定的发展农业;以食品加工业为乡镇企业发展突破口,积极发展第三产业。     

高铁酸钾氧化降解硝基苯水溶液

采用高铁酸钾氧化降解硝基苯水溶液,研究表明,反应时间、pH值、高铁酸钾投加量、硝基苯水溶液浓度4个因素都会对硝基苯的降解效果产生影响.硝基苯水溶液浓度为55mg·l~(-1)时,初始pH=7-9,高铁酸钾投加量n_(k_2FeO_4):n_(C_6H_5NO_2)10:1,反应时间30min为最优反应条件,硝基苯去除率达到85%左右,COD_(Cr)去除率达到55%左右.通过对反应产物的分析,推测硝基苯首先被高铁酸钾氧化为对硝基苯酚,再进一步被氧化开环生成终产物.     

污染土壤中菲降解菌的分离鉴定及其降解能力

利用水-硅油双相系统富集培养和平板升华方法,从被多环芳烃(PAHs)污染的表层土壤中筛选分离得到10株能利用菲为唯一碳源和能源生长的菌株. 这10株菌在无机盐培养基中10 d内对初始质量浓度为50 mg/L的菲的去除率为27.6%～55.3%,其中一些菌株混合可提高或降低菲的去除率;通过形态观察、生理生化指标测定及分子生物学分析(16S rDNA)等方法对其中3株具有较高降解能力的菌株(分别定名为PE0402-5,PE0902-1和PE1501-1)进行鉴定. 这3株菌的16S rDNA序列分别与Gordonia,Mycobacterium以及Azospirillum 3个属的相似性达100%,99%和99%. 结合分离菌株的形态、生理生化特征和16S rDNA基因序列的分析结果,初步鉴定菌株PE0402-5为戈登氏菌(Gordonia sp.),PE0902-1为分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium sp.),PE1501-1为固氮螺菌(Azospirillum sp.).      

Utilization of a new host in the screaming cowbird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Molothrus rufoaxillaris</Emphasis>, a host specialist brood parasite: host switch or host acquisition?

The screaming cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris has been long known as a host specialist brood parasite. However, in the past years, the utilization of two new hosts has been documented. We examined the variation in mitochondrial control region sequences from screaming cowbird chicks found in the nests of two hosts, the bay-winged cowbird (Agelaioides badius), which is its regular host, and the chopi blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi), which is a new host, in Formosa Province, Argentina. If a group of females switched to this new host, we expected to find an association between host use and haplotype frequency distribution, indicating the presence of host-specific female lineages, whereas we expected no such association if the cowbird population incorporated this new host and females use both hosts simultaneously. Haplotype frequency distributions differed between cowbird chicks from the nests of both hosts. This indicates that nest choice by females of this brood parasite is not random and that they preferentially parasitize the nests of the same host species.