等应变速率拉伸测m值的方法

此文介绍了一种应变速率恒定条件下测应变速率敏感指数m值的方法,其特点是严格、直观、准确.     

Toxic effects of the ingestion of water-soluble elements found in soil under the atmospheric influence of an industrial complex

In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of water-soluble elements from a contaminated soil via gavage in a single dose, simulating a geophagy event. The contaminated soil was collected in a field located in an industrial complex, and the control soil was collected in a reference area. Metabolic and behavioral parameters in Wistar male rats were measured after 24 and 96 h of gavage. After 96 h, the major organs were weighed, blood was collected to check hematological parameters, the bone marrow was taken for the micronucleus test, and the liver was used for evaluating the total antioxidant capacity, lipoperoxidation and protein carbonylation. Animals exposed to contaminated soil presented a few significant alterations by comparison with control animals: TBARS and protein carbonyl levels increased, the relative weight of the kidneys increased, metabolic parameters (body weight gain, food intake, water consumption, urine and feces production) depressed and there was behavioral alteration. These findings suggest that soils impacted by atmospheric contaminants can affect the organism physiological status jeopardizing the health of populations living in industrial areas. Finally, this study reassures that ingestion of potentially contaminated soils, even for short periods of time, can cause health risks.     

Indices of ergonomic-psycholsociological workplace quality in the greenhouses of Almería (Spain): Crops of cucumbers,peppers, aubergines and melons

This work uses the Labour Economics and Sociology Laboratory of France (LEST) method to evaluate the ergonomic-psycholsociological quality of work in horticultural greenhouse exploitations in Almería (Spain) with the aim of improving workers’ occupational health. Data on the factors affecting the physical environment, the physical workload, mental workload, psychosocial aspects and the working hours of labourers were collected in 110 greenhouses, 35 of the Almeria parral-plano type and 75 of the raspa y amagado type. The crops raised in these greenhouses were cucumbers (24 greenhouses), peppers (25), aubergines (28), and melons (38). These greenhouses, typical of southeastern Spain, were found not to guarantee workers a comfortable working environment. The type of greenhouse and the crop raised within directly affected the ergonomic-psychosocial conditions of the workers. Suggestions are offered that might improve these conditions.     

Effects of lead exposure on salivary glands of rats: insights into the oxidative biochemistry and glandular morphology

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aimed to investigate the effects of lead (Pb) exposure on parotid and submandibular glands through morphological aspects as well as the...     

The role of motorized boats in fishers’ productivity in marine protected versus non-protected areas in Davao Gulf,Philippines

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The Philippine fisheries sector continues to play a critical role in the livelihood of coastal households; however, the country’s fisheries...     

Effects of development of wind energy and associated changes in land use on bird densities in upland areas

Wind energy development is the most recent of many pressures on upland bird communities and their habitats. Studies of birds in relation to wind energy development have focused on effects of direct mortality, but the importance of indirect effects (e.g., displacement, habitat loss) on avian community diversity and stability is increasingly being recognized. We used a control-impact study in combination with a gradient design to assess the effects of wind farms on upland bird densities and on bird species grouped by habitat association (forest and open-habitat species). We conducted 506 point count surveys at 12 wind-farm and 12 control sites in Ireland during 2 breeding seasons (2012 and 2013). Total bird densities were lower at wind farms than at control sites, and the greatest differences occurred close to turbines. Densities of forest species were significantly lower within 100 m of turbines than at greater distances, and this difference was mediated by habitat modifications associated with wind-farm development. In particular, reductions in forest cover adjacent to turbines was linked to the observed decrease in densities of forest species. Open-habitat species’ densities were lower at wind farms but were not related to distance from turbines and were negatively related to size of the wind farm. This suggests that, for these species, wind-farm effects may occur at a landscape scale. Our findings indicate that the scale and intensity of the displacement effects of wind farms on upland birds depends on bird species’ habitat associations and that the observed effects are mediated by changes in land use associated with wind-farm construction. This highlights the importance of construction effects and siting of turbines, tracks, and other infrastructure in understanding the impacts of wind farms on biodiversity.     

Nanomaterials for water cleaning and desalination,energy production,disinfection, agriculture and green chemistry

Nanomaterials may help to solve issues such as water availability, clean energy generation, control of drug-resistant microorganisms and food safety. Here we review innovative approaches to solve these issues using nanotechnology. The major topics discussed are wastewater treatment using carbon-based, metal-based and polymeric nanoadsorbents for removing organic and metal contaminants; nanophotocatalysis for microbial control; desalination of seawater using nanomembranes; energy conversion and storage using solar cells and hydrogen-sorbents nanostructures; antimicrobial properties of nanomaterials; smart delivery systems; biocompatible nanomaterials such as nanolignocellulosis and starches-based materials, and methods to decrease the toxicity of nanomaterials. Significantly, here it is reviewed two ways to palliate nanomaterials toxicity: (a) controlling physicochemical factors affecting this toxicity in order to dispose of more safe nanomaterials, and (b) harnessing greener synthesis of them to bring down the environmental impact of toxic reagents, wastes and byproducts. All these current challenges are reviewed at the present article in an effort to evaluate environmental implications of nanomaterials technology by means of a complete, reliable and critical vision.     

Assessment of hydrochemical trends in the highly anthropised Guadalhorce River basin (southern Spain) in terms of compliance with the European groundwater directive for 2015

One of the key aspects introduced by the European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) and developed by Groundwater Directive 2006/118/EC was the need to analyse pollution trends in groundwater bodies in order to meet the environmental objectives set in Article 4 WFD. According to this Directive, the main goal of “good status” should be achieved by the year 2015, and having reached this horizon, now is a suitable time to assess the changes that have taken place with the progressive implementation of the WFD. An extensive database is available for the Guadalhorce River basin, and this was used not only to identify in groundwater but also to draw real conclusions with respect to the degree of success in meeting the targets established for this main deadline (2015) The geographic and climate context of the Guadalhorce basin has facilitated the development of a variety of economic activities, but the one affecting the largest surface area is agriculture (which is practised on over 50 % of the river basin). The main environmental impacts identified in the basin aquifers arise from the widespread use of fertilisers and manures, together with the input of sewage from population centres. In consequence, some of the groundwater bodies located in the basin have historically had very high nitrate concentrations, often exceeding 200 mg/L. In addition, return flows, the use of fertilisers and other pressures promote the entry of other pollutants into the groundwater, as well as the salinisation of the main aquifers in the basin. In order to assess the hydrochemical changes that have taken place since the entry into force of the WFD, we performed a detailed trends analysis, based on data from the official sampling networks. In some cases, over 35 years of water quality data are available, but these statistics also present significant limitations, due to some deficiencies in the design or management; thus, data are missing for many years, the results are subject to seasonality effects, there are gaps in the historical records obtained by the monitoring networks and other shortcomings. The results obtained were analysed with the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test and revealed a general upward trend of pollutants in the areas affected by major pressures. In this analysis, we evaluated not only the increase or decrease in pollutants but also the different processes detected and the sources of pollution within the basin area. Our evaluation shows that robust measures should be taken in order to prevent further major degradation of groundwater quality and to enable “good quality” status to be achieved in future extensions of the WFD.     

Development of a green and efficient methodology for the heterocyclic aromatic amine determination in biomass samples generated from cigarette combustion and tobacco

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A green methodology was developed for the analysis of ten heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in biomass samples from cigarette combustion such as...     

Parasitic castration in slipper limpets infested by the symbiotic crab Calyptraeotheres garthi

Two ill-explored hypotheses might explain host castration by parasitic pea crabs. The ‘energy drain’ hypothesis states that castration is caused by host-derived nutrient consumption of parasites that ultimately diminishes host-energy intake. The ‘steric interference’ hypothesis states that castration occurs when parasites physically inhibit host reproduction. This study evaluated whether Calyptraeotheres garthi, a pea crab from the southwestern Atlantic, is a parasitic castrator and explored whether the two hypotheses above explain castration in the limpet Crepidula cachimilla. None of three studied limpet species brooded embryos during the reproductive season when infested by mature female pea crabs. Also, limpets of C. cachimilla infested by C. garthi did not reproduce during a 90-day experimental period while crab-free limpets did spawn embryos during this period. Limpets resumed reproduction soon after pea crabs were experimentally removed from their brooding chamber. Thus, C. garthi does castrate limpets, and castration is reversible. Pea crabs ‘steal’ food from limpets, and infested limpets did not modify their feeding behavior to counteract nutrient loss. Thus, infested limpets are expected to ingest less food which provides partial support for the ‘energy drain’ hypothesis. However, the limpet’s body condition increased or was not affected by pea crabs during the breeding season which argues against the same hypothesis. Furthermore, that limpets promptly recovered reproductive activity once pea crabs were experimentally removed, that castration was not induced by the smallest pea crabs in the population (that fill only partially the brooding chamber), and that parasitized limpets did exhibit fully mature ovaries, support the ‘steric interference’ hypothesis explaining parasitic castration.