Cranial shape transformation in the evolution of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

In this study, landmark-based methods of geometric morphometrics are used for investigating the main aspects of cranial shape transformation in the evolution of the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Specifically, we explore if the highly derived cranial adaptations for bamboo feeding of the living panda were developed early in the panda's lineage. Results obtained show that the overall cranial morphologies of the oldest known panda, the "pygmy" Ailuropoda microta, and the late Pleistocene Ailuropoda baconi are both very similar to that of their closest living relative, A. melanoleuca, which agrees with a previous proposal based on qualitative criteria. However, we also describe several differences between the crania of A. microta, A. baconi, and A. melanoleuca, including the development of the postorbital process, the orientation of the occipital region, and the expansion of the braincase. As a result, the cranial morphology of A. microta shows a less specialized morphology toward a fibrous and durophagous diet compared to the giant panda. These results are confirmed by a comparative analysis of the dimensions of the upper teeth in bears, which has revealed differences in relative tooth size between A. microta and A. melanoleuca, most probably as a result of mosaic evolution. Therefore, we conclude that cranial shape did not remain essentially uniform in the Ailuropoda lineage, as previously thought, but underwent a number of changes during more than 2?Myr.     

Assessing the potential for greenhouse gas mitigation in intensively managed annual cropping systems at the regional scale

We predicted changes in yields and direct net soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from converting conventional to alternative management practices across one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, the Central Valley of California, using the DAYCENT model. Alternative practices included conservation tillage, winter cover cropping, manure application, a 25% reduction in N fertilizer input and combinations of these. Alternative practices were evaluated for all unique combinations of crop rotation, climate, and soil types for the period 1997-2006. The crops included were alfalfa, corn, cotton, melon, safflower, sunflower, tomato, and wheat. Our predictions indicate that, adopting alternative management practices would decrease yields up to 5%. Changes in modeled SOC and net soil GHG fluxes corresponded to values reported in the literature. Average potential reductions of net soil GHG fluxes with alternative practices ranged from −0.7 to −3.3 Mg CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the Sacramento Valley and −0.5 to −2.5 Mg CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for the San Joaquin Valley. While adopting a single alternative practice led to modest net soil GHG flux reductions (on average −1 Mg CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), combining two or more of these practices led to greater decreases in net soil GHG fluxes of up to −3 Mg CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. At the regional scale, the combination of winter cover cropping with manure application was particularly efficient in reducing GHG emissions. However, GHG mitigation potentials were mostly non-permanent because 60-80% of the decreases in net soil GHG fluxes were attributed to increases in SOC, except for the reduced fertilizer input practice, where reductions were mainly attributed to decreased N₂O emissions. In conclusion, there are long-term GHG mitigation potentials within agriculture, but spatial and temporal aggregation will be necessary to reduce uncertainties around GHG emission reductions and the delivery risk of the associated C credits.     

崇明岛生态风险源分析及其防范对策研究

上海市城市总体规划（1999~2020年）中提出了要将崇明岛建成生态岛的发展目标,而保障崇明岛的生态安全,规避生态风险是实现这一目标以及实现经济可持续发展的重要内容。崇明岛地处长江的河口和经济最发达的长江三角洲,而且东邻东海,地理位置十分特殊,区域生态风险来源十分复杂。因此,深入分析崇明岛的生态风险源类型、来源和特征,是进一步开展生态风险评价和正确制定风险防范对策的基础。通过对崇明历史资料的分析和现状的评价,辨识出26种生态风险源,这些风险源按性质分可分为自然风险源和人为风险源两类,按来源分可分为来自流域、来自周边区域、来自海洋和来自岛屿内部4类;通过对风险源的发生概率、强度分析结果,结合各风险源的特点,筛选出咸水入侵、台风、暴雨、风暴潮、生物入侵为崇明岛的主要风险源,并分析了其对生态系统的干扰和危害。在上述分析的基础上,提出了具体的风险防范对策。     

An in vitro/in vivo screening assay as a sensitive tool to assess endocrine disruptive activity in surface water

Adult male fathead minnow were exposed for 14 or 28-days under flow-through conditions to undiluted filtered water samples from the rivers Meuse and Rhine in the Netherlands. The experiment included two vessels per treatment each containing 10 fish and samples of five fish were taken after 14 and 28 days. Additional groups were exposed to 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) as a reference and untreated drinking water as a negative control. Major endpoints examined included induction of vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis, VTG mRNA activity, hepato- and gonadosomatic indices (HSI and GSI) and gonadal histology. No significant difference was recorded in body weight or mean GSI values between the various treatments. Only exposure to Meuse water resulted in significantly higher HSI means after 14 days. Histological examination showed no apparent effects on gonadal tissue except for eosinophilic blood plasma in fish exposed to Meuse water or EE2. After 14 and 28 days, elevated VTG and VTG mRNA levels were measured in most livers of the fish exposed to Meuse water, but not in the fish exposed to Rhine water. This was confirmed by measuring estrogenic responses in the in vitro ER CALUX assay. Induction of VTG synthesis proved to be the most sensitive endpoint in the Non Spawning Male Fish Assay for in vivo detection of bio-available estrogenic activity supplementary to a sensitive in vitro assay. The other endpoints examined varied too much and required a higher number of fish or replicates to achieve sufficient power for statistical testing making them less animal friendly.     

腐殖酸及酸雨对贫铀在土壤中迁移的影响研究

 利用经过完善的贫铀迁移模型,研究腐殖酸(HA)及酸雨对贫铀在土壤中迁移的影响.结果表明,对照组(北京地区土壤)DU迁移到达9~11cm,分别添加2%、5%、10%HA的实验组DU迁移依次降低,分别为21~23cm、15~17cm、11~13cm,说明腐殖酸促进了DU迁移; pH值为4.0和3.0的模拟酸雨,分别使贫铀迁移至29~31cm及35cm以上,说明酸雨促进了贫铀迁移;在酸雨和腐殖酸综合作用下贫铀迁移仅到5~7cm,说明腐殖酸和酸雨综合作用抑制了贫铀迁移.     

Methanotrophic community structure of aged refuse and its capability for methane bio-oxidation

Aged refuse from waste landfills closed for eight years was examined and found to contain rich methanotrophs capable of biooxidation for methane. Specially, community structure and methane oxidation capability of methanotrophs in the aged refuse were studied. The amount of methanotrophs ranged 61.97 103–632.91 103 cells/g (in dry basis) in aged refuse from Shanghai Laogang Landfill. Type I and II methanotrophs were found in the aged refuse in the presence of sterilized sewage sludge and only Type I methanotrophs were detected in the presence of nitrate minimal salt medium (NMS). The clone sequences of the pmoA gene obtained from the aged refuse were similar to the pmoA gene of Methylobacter, Methylocaldum, and Methylocystis, and two clones were distinct with known genera of Type I methanotrophs according to phylogenetic analysis. Aged refuse enriched with NMS was used for methane biological oxidation and over 93% conversions were obtained.     

Fenton氧化在废水处理中的应用

综述了近年来Fenton氧化在废水处理领域的应用状况,对Fenton试剂氧化的机理和主要影响因素:温度、pH、反应时间、H2O2和Fe2+的投加量、H2O2/Fe2+量比以及反应动力学模型进行了简要介绍.最后探讨了Fenton氧化技术在废水处理领域现存不足之处及今后的发展趋势.     

磁性膨润土材料吸附处理印染废水研究

针对目前膨润土在应用中的一些问题,对膨润土进行磁性能改性,通过共沉淀法制备磁性膨润土颗粒,并对其进行了X射线衍射和磁性能表征分析.以阴离子染料OrangeⅡ为目标化合物,研究了磁性膨润土材料对OrangeⅡ废水的吸附效果,并探讨了主要工艺参数如阳离子表面活性剂的质量浓度、pH、温度等对染料去除率的影响.结果表明:阳离子...     

有关斜管沉淀池的上升流速讨论

文章从理论上了分析斜管沉淀池上升流速对沉淀池处理效果的影响,及原水特性与斜管沉淀池上升流速取值的关系。讨论分析斜管沉淀池设计时,应根据原水特性不同选择不同的斜管沉淀池上升流速。     

协同氧化工艺处理焦化废水的试验研究

采用微电解-芬顿氧化的组合工艺处理末端焦化废水,考察静态实验中微电解填料的铁碳比、过氧化氢添加方式及加入量、曝气量、反应时间、pH值等不同条件因素对COD去除率的影响情况,确定最佳条件是铁碳质量比是2.5∶1,分批加入过氧化氢,且加入量为0.25 mL/L,曝气量为1.25 L/min,pH值为3,反应时间140 min.最终实现将焦化废水COD的去除率达88％以上的目的.按静态实验的各因素条件进行动态实验,试验结果COD去除率可达87％以上,处理后℃OD质量浓度为为91 mg/L,达到排放标准.同时处理后焦化废水的颜色变淡.