Non-random nectar unloading interactions between foragers and their receivers in the honeybee hive

Nectar acquisition in the honeybee Apis mellifera is a partitioned task in which foragers gather nectar and bring it to the hive, where nest mates unload via trophallaxis (i.e. mouth-to-mouth transfer) the collected food for further storage. Because forager mates exploit different feeding places simultaneously, this study addresses the question of whether nectar unloading interactions between foragers and hive-bees are established randomly, as it is commonly assumed. Two groups of foragers were trained to exploit a different scented food source for 5 days. We recorded their trophallaxes with hive-mates, marking the latter ones according to the forager group they were unloading. We found non-random probabilities for the occurrence of trophallaxes between experimental foragers and hive-bees, instead, we found that trophallactic interactions were more likely to involve groups of individuals which had formerly interacted orally. We propose that olfactory cues present in the transferred nectar promoted the observed bias, and we discuss this bias in the context of the organization of nectar acquisition: a partitioned task carried out in a decentralized insect society.     

Can Forest-protection carbon projects improve rural livelihoods? Analysis of the Noel Kempff Mercado climate action project,Bolivia

We studied the Noel KempffMercado Climate Action Project (NKMCAP),Bolivia, to assess whether forestprotection carbon (C) projects cansignificantly benefit local people. Wehypothesized that forest protection canonly securely deliver C if significantstakeholders are meaningfully andtransparently involved, traditional orcustomary rights are recognized and theirloss compensated for, and there are directlinkages between conservation anddevelopment objective. Our researchfocused on 53 members of the communities ofFlorida, Porvenir and Piso Firme and 36secondary stakeholders. In each of thevillages we held half-day meetings withcommunity leaders, complemented bysemi-structured one-hour interviews with 5,10, and 7 families, representing 20%, 10%and 8% of each community. The long-termimpact of the NKMCAP on the localcommunities may well be positive. However,in the short run, certain sections of thelocal communities are financially poorer. Forest protection projects clearly have thepotential to sequester C, protectbiodiversity and simultaneously contributeto sustainable rural development, but ifthey really are to improve rurallivelihoods, they must be designed andimplemented carefully and participatively.     

Diffusions-Plattenmethode zur Feststellung der fungistatischen Wirksamkeit der Antibiotika

The Science of Nature -     

Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Scenarios in Mexico for Year 2005: Industrial Cogeneration and Efficient Lighting

An analysis of the impacts on Mexican energy demand and associated carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the year 2005 due to efficient lighting in the commercial and residential sectors and cogeneration in the industrial sector is presented. Estimation of CO₂ abatement costs and an incremental cost curve for CO₂ mitigation options are considered. These technologies are cost effective opportunities, and together are projected to reduce CO₂ emissions in 2005 by nearly 13 percent. Implementation of efficient lighting is already part of the demand side management (DSM) programs of the Mexican state-owned utility. However, there are important barriers that may hinder the implementation of large scale cogeneration plants.     

浅谈溢油模型的发展及其应用设想

在溢油模型模拟溢油扩散、漂移的轨迹及其归宿的基础上提出溢油反向运算既反推的发展设想，扩展其功能，增加其应用，形成完整的溢油模型，并将该溢油模型运用于海事管理工作中，为海事管理工作服务。     

废水中有机物对铁盐除磷的影响

通过批次实验探究了不同有机物对铁盐化学除磷的影响.结果显示，有机物对铁盐化学除磷的不利影响由强到弱依次为柠檬酸、黄腐酸、聚山梨酯-80、牛血清蛋白、葡萄糖、淀粉，柠檬酸的影响程度为其他五种有机物的5~20倍.较之含羟基有机物，含羧基有机物对铁盐除磷的不利影响更大.研究表明：铁盐化学除磷的实质是通过形成铁羟基氧化物（HFO）来除磷.含羧基有机物，如柠檬酸，可与磷酸根竞争HFO，有机物"抢占"HFO表面结合位点导致磷酸盐与HFO结合减少，从而使铁盐除磷效果下降.在所试柠檬酸浓度范围内，铁盐除磷率最高下降了90.70%.