Genetic mating system and timing of extra-pair fertilizations in the Kentish plover

It is still unclear why females in many bird species pursue extra-pair copulations. Current hypotheses focus mainly on indirect benefits such as obtaining particular good genes for their offspring or maximizing genetic compatibility between themselves and the father of their offspring. Supporting the latter, a recent study of shorebirds suggests that extra-pair matings may function to avoid the negative effects of genetic similarity between mates. Here, we further investigate genetic parentage in the Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus, a shorebird with a highly variable social mating system. DNA fingerprinting revealed that most pairs were genetically monogamous: 7.9% of the broods (7/89) contained extra-pair young, comprising 3.9% of all chicks (9/229). These cases represented, however, three alternative reproductive behaviors: extra-pair paternity, quasi-parasitism (extra-pair maternity) and intraspecific brood parasitism. This is the first study showing the occurrence of all three behaviors in one shorebird species. We also found that extra-pair fertilizations (extra-pair paternity and quasi-parasitism) were more frequent later in the breeding season. There was no consistent relationship between genetic similarity of mates and laying date; the pattern, as well as the degree of genetic similarity, differed among breeding sites within the study population.Communicated by M. Webster     

Automated method for the determination of total arsenic and selenium in natural and drinking water by HG-AAS

A multicommutated flow system was designed and evaluated for the determination of total arsenic and selenium by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HG-AAS). It was applied to the determination of arsenic and selenium in samples of natural and drinking water. Detection limits were 0.46 and 0.08 μg l⁻¹ for arsenic and selenium, respectively; sampling frequency was 120 samples h⁻¹ for arsenic and 160 samples h⁻¹ for selenium. Linear ranges found were 1.54–10 μg l⁻¹ (R = 0.999) for arsenic and 0.27–27 μg l⁻¹ (R = 0.999) for selenium. Accuracy was evaluated by spiking various water samples and using a reference material. Recoveries were in the range 95–116%. Analytical precision (s _r (%), n = 10) was 6% for both elements. Compared with the Standard Methods, APHA, 3114B manual method, the system consumes at least 10 times less sample per determination, and the quantities of acid and reducing agent used are significantly lower with a reduction in the generation of pollutants and waste. As an additional advantage, the system is very fast, efficient and environmentally friendly for monitoring total arsenic and selenium levels in waters.     

Identifying the possibilities and pitfalls of conducting IUCN Red List assessments from remotely sensed habitat information based on insights from poorly known Cuban mammals

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species (RLS) is the key global tool for objective, repeatable assessment of species’ extinction risk status, and plays an essential role in tracking biodiversity loss and guiding conservation action. Satellite remote sensing (SRS) data sets on global ecosystem distributions and functioning show exciting potential for informing range-based RLS assessment, but their incorporation has been restricted by low temporal resolution and coverage of data sets, lack of incorporation of degradation-driven habitat loss, and noninclusion of assumptions related to identification of changing habitat distributions for taxa with varying habitat dependency and ecologies. For poorly known mangrove-associated Cuban hutias (Mesocapromys spp.), we tested the impact of possible assumptions regarding these issues on range-based RLS assessment outcomes. Specifically, we used annual (1985–2018) Landsat data and land-cover classification and habitat degradation analyses across different internal time series slices to simulate range-based RLS assessments for our case study taxa to explore potential assessment uncertainty arising from temporal SRS data set coverage, incorporating proxies of (change in) habitat quality, and assumptions on spatial scaling of habitat extent for RLS parameter generation. We found extensive variation in simulated species-specific range-based RLS assessments, and this variation was mostly associated with the time series over which parameters were estimated. However, results of some species-specific assessments differed by up to 3 categories (near threatened to critically endangered) within the same time series, due to the effects of incorporating habitat quality and the spatial scaling used in RLS parameter estimation. Our results showed that a one-size-fits-all approach to incorporating SRS information in RLS assessment is inappropriate, and we urge caution in conducting range-based assessments with SRS for species for which habitat dependence on specific ecosystem types is incompletely understood. We propose novel revisions to parameter spatial scaling guidelines to improve integration of existing time series data on ecosystem change into the RLS assessment process.     

交联菌丝体吸附剂的制备及其对Cr^3＋的吸附特性

深入研究了交联菌丝体吸附剂的制备工艺及其对Cr^3＋的吸附特性。交联菌丝体吸附剂制备工艺简单，但在制备过程中，活化剂NaOH和交联剂的用量对吸附特性影响较大。与纯菌丝体吸附剂相比，交联菌丝体吸附剂表观吸附容量提高48％，达到49．83mg／g（pH=2．53，水溶液中的Cr^3＋浓度为600mg／L），同时其机械强度明显增强。交联菌丝体吸附剂对Cr^3＋的吸附特点是将沉淀法与吸附法相结合，将沉淀与吸附两过程合二为一，从而简化了处理工艺，降低了处理成本。     

Mineralization of paracetamol in aqueous medium by anodic oxidation with a boron-doped diamond electrode

The degradation of 100ml of solutions with paracetamol (N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide) up to 1 g l(-1) in the pH range 2.0-12.0 has been studied by anodic oxidation in a cell with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a graphite cathode, both of 3-cm2 area, by applying a current of 100, 300 and 450 mA between 25 and 45 degrees C. Complete mineralization is always achieved due to the great concentration of hydroxyl radical (*OH) generated at the BDD surface, with release of NH4+ and NO3- ions. The mineralization rate is pH-independent, increases with increasing applied current and temperature, but decreases when drug concentration raises from 315 mg l(-1). Reversed-phase chromatography revealed a similar complex paracetamol decay in acid and alkaline media. Ion-exclusion chromatography allowed the detection of oxalic and oxamic acids as ultimate carboxylic acids. When the same solutions have been comparatively treated with a Pt anode, a quite poor mineralization is found because of the production of much lower *OH concentration. Under these conditions, the degradation rate is enhanced in alkaline medium and polymerization of intermediates is favored in concentrated solutions. Paracetamol can be completely destroyed with Pt and its kinetics follows a pseudo-first-order reaction with a constant rate independent of pH.     

支持向量机在城市震后火灾损失预测中的应用

针对地震火灾的复杂性和多变性的特点,在综合分析了各种震后火灾损失预测方法的基础上,提出了基于支持向量机的城市震后火灾损失预测模型。以地震火灾的历史资料为依据,建立学习样本和测试样本,并与BP神经网络预测方法相比较,验证了其可行性,也为其它自然灾害的损失预测提供了简单、有效的方法。     

自然灾害知觉的不安全心理特性与调适建议——基于北京大学生的调查分析

研究公众自然灾害知觉中的不安全因素,有助于开展有针对性的减灾宣教活动、构建社会预防文化。通过问卷方式,调查了北京5所高校大学生的自然灾害知觉现状及特征。统计分析显示,大学生自然灾害知觉中存在不安全心理特性,主要表现在：对自身灾害知识和经验存在过高估计的乐观偏差;在灾害预期中表现出悲观的心理噪声效应;面对自然灾害多数出现消极情绪,其应急行为倾向呈负距平状态;防灾减灾过程中对政府行为依赖性、服从性高。在此基础上,提出了通过普及正确防灾知识、完善心理防御机制、强化能动意识等重塑大学生灾害知觉、调适灾害行为的建议。     

Removal of the herbicide amitrole from water by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton

Here we demonstrate that an aqueous solution of the herbicide amitrole can be completely depolluted at pH 3.0 by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton process. Anodic oxidation gives faster degradation with a boron-doped diamond anode than with a Pt anode. Electro-Fenton with a Pt anode and 1 mmol l ^–1 Fe²⁺ as catalyst yields the quickest depollution. Amitrole decay always follows a pseudo first-order reaction. NO₃^– and NH₄⁺ are accumulated in the medium during mineralization, although volatile N-products are also formed. These environmentally friendly electrochemical treatments could be applied to the remediation of wastewaters containing amitrole.     

欧盟化学品环境管理战略研究与启示

贯彻化学物质的全生命周期环境风险管理理念,加强新污染物治理,深入打好污染防治攻坚战,是促进经济社会发展全面绿色转型的重要内容。以欧洲化学品可持续战略为主线,分析欧盟与化学品相关的环境管理战略与行动计划,从化学品的安全可持续设计、环境零化学污染、化学物质风险评估机制和风险管理方法等方面进行研究,通过问题总结、差距比对,分析提出对我国开展化学品环境管理工作的启示,对推动精准治污、科学治污、依法治污,促进生态文明建设,有重要借鉴意义。     

Occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in the sediments of the East China Sea bays

The coastal area of the East China Sea has experienced rapid urbanization and industrialization in China since 1980 s, resulting in severe pollution of its environments.Antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs) are regarded as a kind of emerging pollutant with potential high risk. The sediment samples were collected from Hangzhou Bay(HB),Xiangshan Bay(XB), and Taizhou Bay(TB) to investigate the spatial occurrence and distribution of 27 ARGs and class I integron–integrase gene(intI1) in the coastal area of the East China Sea. The PCR results showed the frequent presence of 11 ARGs and intI1 in the sediments of the three bays. The qPCR results further showed that sulfonamide resistance was the most prevalent ARG type and antibiotic target replacement and protection were the most important resistance mechanisms in the sediments. Regarding the subtype of ARGs, sulI, tetW, and dfrA13 were the most abundant ARGs, in which sulI was higher in TB(based on both the absolute and relative abundances) and dfrA13 was higher in HB(based on the relative abundances). The network analysis revealed that intI1 had significant correlations with tetC, sulI, sulII, and blaPSE-1. Oil was the key connected factor, which had positive connections with sulI, sulII, and blaPSE-1. In addition, the joint effect of heavy metals and nutrients organic pollutants might be crucial for the fate of ARGs in the coastal sediments.