Gamergates in the myrmicine genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metapone</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Gamergates (i.e. mated reproductive workers) are mostly known from ant species within the Ponerinae. We report here the discovery of gamergates in two species of the subfamily Myrmicinae. Until now, mated reproductive females in colonies of myrmicine species have been considered morphologically distinct from the worker caste. However, in two species of the myrmicine Metapone (Metapone madagascarica and a newly discovered, not yet described Metapone species) all workers have six ovarioles and a spermatheca; and some of them are mated. There are no morphological differences between mated and non-mated workers. Field observations and laboratory studies indicate that colonies of the Metapone species can reproduce with gamergates only.     

Vocal acrobatics in a Chinese frog, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amolops tormotus</Emphasis>

Although amphibians are highly vocal, they generally emit only a limited number of acoustic communication signals. We report here the extraordinarily rich vocal repertoire of Amolops tormotus, a ranid species in China. These frogs produce countless vocalizations, some of which share features of birdsong or primate calls, e.g., ultrasonic frequency components, multiple upward and downward FM sweeps, and sudden onset and offset of selective harmonic components within a call note. Frame-by-frame video analysis of the frog's calling behavior suggests the presence of two pairs of vocal sacs that may contribute to the remarkable call-note complexity in this species. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0335-x.     

Occurrence,functions and biosynthesis of polyamides in microorganisms and biotechnological production

Microorganisms are able to synthesize three different polyamides by enzymatic processes independently from ribosomal protein biosynthesis: poly(gamma-D-glutamic acid), poly(epsilon-L-lysine) and multi-L-arginyl-poly(L-aspartic acid) which is also referred to as cyanophycin. These polyamides, which occur mainly in Bacillus spp. (and only a few other eubacteria and the nematocysts of Cnidaria, in Streptomyces albulus or in cyanobacteria, respectively), have recently attracted considerable interest of the chemical industry and may be suitable for various applications. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the occurrence, biosynthesis, physiological functions, and biodegradation as well as on the properties and putative applications of these polyamides. Emphasis is placed on the enzymology of the polymerization and on the genes encoding the polymerizing enzymes, which have only recently become available for cyanophycin synthetases. Prospects for novel production processes. in particular for cyanophycin, are also presented.     

Influence of conservation tillage on winter bird use of arable fields in Hungary

Bird use of conservation tillage-established (CT—seedbed preparation without soil inversion) crops was assessed at two adjacent sites in western Hungary, in comparison with conventionally established (mouldboard ploughed—P) fields. Bird abundance was assessed in a typical rotation of spring-sown maize and winter wheat in three consecutive winters. In the first winter, several species and the guild of seed-eating passerines were significantly more abundant on CT established plots, in both crop types. In the second winter, only starlings were more abundant on CT plots. In the third winter, only skylarks favoured CT over P plots. In combination with agri-environment scheme measures designed to provide resources for biodiversity, conservation tillage could play a role in softening the impact of agriculture on farmland birds in Hungary and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, in addition to its potential for reducing soil erosion and diffuse pollution.     

矿区生态系统健康内涵及评价指标体系研究

结合生态系统健康理论及矿区发展特点，探讨了矿区生态系统健康内涵、阐述了矿区生态系统健康评价目的和评价指标体系的设置思想，构建了矿区生态系统健康评价指标体系。     

11种有机磷农药对海洋微藻致毒效应的研究

通过研究不同盐度条件下１１种有机磷农药对扁藻的相对增长率和叶绿素ａ含量的影响，得到了Ｓ＝３０和Ｓ＝２０时的半数有效浓度，并比较其大小。盐度作为环境因子，影响到有机磷农药的毒性。研究发现，遥有机磷农药在低浓度时出现一定限度的促生长作用；容易进攻细胞膜的有机磷农药对扁藻的致毒性相对较强；此外，有机磷农药的毒性大小与其结构密切相关含有苯环结构的有机磷农药毒性大小不含有苯 有机磷农药的毒性。     

Inventory of emissions from major air pollutant categories in Turkey

In this study, an inventory of air pollutant emission estimates from major air polluting sources in Turkey for period between 1985 and 2005 with 5-year intervals were estimated. Inventory covers anthropogenic sources of five major air pollutants of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds. Their break-down with respect to main activity sectors were shown and their distribution by the largest industrial source categories were worked out as annual estimates. This inventory and its analysis point to serious environmental implications of air pollutants and a need to develop a policy plan for reducing these emissions.     

重金属在牡蛎(Crassostrea virginica)中的生物积累及其影响因素的研究

牡蛎软体，贝壳和沉积物中Ｃｄ、Ｃｒ、Ｃｕ、Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｐｂ和Ｚｎ等重金属元素被同步分析研究，研究结果表明，重金属在牡蛎中的生物积累是牡自身的新陈代谢、重金属元素的地球化学性质和环境诸因素综合影响的结果，其中牡蛎斩生理作用对重金属在软体中的积累产生的影响尤为重要，而贝壳中重金属的积累对来自环境的影响更为敏感。     

关于500t／h污水处理场设备运行的探讨

济南炼油厂新建污水处理场采用目前国内石化系统污水处理先进技术，对设备，构筑物等进行实际运行标定。尤其是设备改造，提出作者的见解，同时对污水处理问题进行探讨。     

O3氧化处理染料废水的试验研究

Ｏ３是一种强氧化剂。利用臭氧处理带色有机废水。可以脱色，而且可以降低废水ＣＯＤ。采用Ｏ３氧化脱色速度快，效果好，对废水的脱色废可达８０％以上，这是通常的混凝处理通信以达到的。如果采用通臭氧和混凝联合处理，处理效果会更好，脱色率可提高到９５％以上。