Rapid modification in the olfactory signal of ants following a change in reproductive status

In insect societies, the presence and condition of egg-layers can be assessed with pheromones. Exocrine secretions are expected to vary in time in order to give up-to-date information on an individuals reproductive physiology. In the queenless monogynous ant Streblognathus peetersi, we allowed a previously infertile high-ranking worker to accede to the alpha rank, thus triggering the onset of her oogenesis (15 replicates). We then studied her interactions with an established egg-layer from the same colony after different durations, ranging from 20 h to several days. Even though her eggs are only ready to be laid after 30 days, the new alpha was recognised within 1–2 days. Detection occurred at a distance of a few millimetres, suggesting the involvement of a pheromone with low volatility, such as cuticular hydrocarbons. When the new alpha had differentiated for >48 h, she was attacked by the established egg-layer. In all cases, low-ranking workers eventually immobilised one of the two alphas: the new alpha was the target if she had differentiated only recently, suggesting that police workers select the dominant worker with the less fertile odour. Using the behaviour of ants as our measure, we demonstrate that a dominants olfactory signal changes rapidly with a modification in her social status, and it occurs well before the onset of egg-laying.     

西昆仑山区土壤垂直带谱

西昆仑山区位于青藏高原西北隅,高山深谷,原面广阔,地形复杂,气候多样,致使本区土壤垂直带谱类型众多,概分为极干旱、干旱、半干旱和高寒干旱、高寒半干旱5个类型。其中干旱和半干旱型土壤垂直带谱中广布着草原和草甸草原,是塔里木盆地南缘重要的天然牧场。特别是半干旱型中还有云杉林分布,是昆仑山系唯一森林分布区。 本区土壤垂直带谱在边缘山脉与内部山脉之间,低海拔山地与耸立在5000m左右高原面上的高海拔山地之间有明显的差别。     

活性污泥数学模型中异养菌产率系数的测定研究

利用活性污泥数学模型预测污水生物处理系统,首先必须确定其参数和水质组分。采用间歇活性污泥法和呼吸计量法对活性污泥数学模型中异养菌产率系数γ_H进行测定研究。结果表明,间歇活性污泥法测定结果重现性较差,试验控制条件比较严格;呼吸计量法测定结果准确性较高,重现性良好,因而,呼吸计量法是比较可行的γ_H测定方法。     

含氮杂环化合物吲哚的缺氧降解性能研究

以好氧、厌氧作为对比，研究了含氮杂环化合物——吲哚的缺氧生物降解性能。主要研究在缺氧状态下吲哚的生物降解性能、适宜N／C比、氮源的变化情况以及吲哚的缺氧降解途径。结果表明，缺氧反硝化状态下吲哚具有较好的生物降解性能。     

海水烟气脱硫初探

分析了金山卫，定海，北仑港和台州等地的海水成份，测定了它们的缓冲能力，在鼓泡反应器中进行了海水吸收ＳＯ２的静态试验和使吸收液中ＳＯ３＾２－转变为ＳＯ４＾２－的氧化试验，试验结果表明海水具有用作烟气脱硫吸收液的可能性和吸收液经曝气后直接排海的可能性。