Landmark memories are more robust when acquired at the nest site than en route: experiments in desert ants

Foraging desert ants, Cataglyphis fortis, encounter different sequences of visual landmarks while navigating by path integration. This paper explores the question whether the storage of landmark information depends on the context in which the landmarks are learned during an ant's foraging journey. Two experimental set-ups were designed in which the ants experienced an artificial landmark panorama that was placed either around the nest entrance (nest marks) or along the vector route leading straight towards the feeder (route marks). The two training paradigms resulted in pronounced differences in the storage characteristics of the acquired landmark information: memory traces of nest marks were much more robust against extinction and/or suppression than those of route marks. In functional terms, this result is in accord with the observation that desert ants encounter new route marks during every foraging run but always pass the same landmarks when approaching the nest entrance.     

Inter and intra-population variation in shoaling and boldness in the zebrafish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>)

Population differences in anti-predator behaviour have been demonstrated in several species, although less is known about the genetic basis of these traits. To determine the extent of genetic differences in boldness (defined as exploration of a novel object) and shoaling within and between zebrafish (Danio rerio) populations, and to examine the genetic basis of shoaling behaviour in general, we carried out a study that involved laboratory-raised fish derived from four wild-caught populations. Controlling for differences in rearing environment, significant inter-population differences were found in boldness but not shoaling. A larger shoaling experiment was also performed using one of the populations as the basis of a North Carolina type II breeding design (174 fish in total) to estimate heritability of shoaling tendency. A narrow-sense heritability estimate of 0.40 was obtained, with no apparent dominance effects.     

Framing the Long-Term <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Situ</Emphasis> Liability Issue for Geologic Carbon Storage in the United States

This paper examines how legal standards of liability may apply to geologic carbon storage. The liability regime governing geologic carbon storage will shape the technology's cost-effectiveness and overall attractiveness. We classify potential sources of liability into operational, in situ, and climate liability. As a first step, we explore in situ liability in the United States. After summarizing legal standards of liability including negligence, breach of implied warranty, strict liability, and product liability, we discuss how liability may be addressed at the level of the federal government, state government, industry, and the firm. Finally, we address the implications of judicial treatment of liability for carbon storage, including the apportionment of liability and the adequacy of current regulations.     

机械强化污泥回流式一体化活性污泥法的运行机理研究

活性污泥通过机械搅拌强化污泥内循环回流,提高了污泥的活性,并且使污泥浓度可达到4.5kg/m3,用该机械强化污泥回流式一体化活性污泥法处理小区生活污水,当水力停留时间为3h,溶解氧为2.2mg/L,机械搅拌速度为250r/min时,CODcr、氨氮去除率均可达到83% 以上,出水达到国家污水排放一级标准.该一体化活性污泥法简单易行,运行成本低,投资小,操作维护方便,是生活小区生活污水适宜的处理工艺技术.     

土壤重金属污染及其预防、修复研究

土壤重金属污染是一个难以解决的全球性棘手问题,不仅会直接或间接地危害人体健康,而且其污染的修复也十分困难,因此土壤重金属污染的预防与修复具有特别重要的意义.目前中国部分地区土壤重金属污染已相当严重,土壤污染防治已被提上中国环境保护工作的重要议程.文章先从自然地理环境的整体性出发说明土壤重金属污染的危害,接着介绍了由于人类活动引起的农耕区及城市土壤重金属污染来源,最后有针对性地提出土壤重金属污染的预防及其修复措施.     

微生物絮凝剂的研究现状与发展趋势

介绍了近几年来国内外微生物絮凝剂的发展概况、分类及絮凝机理,指出了与传统絮凝剂相比较微生物絮凝剂在水处理中的优越性,分析了已使用的微生物絮凝剂在污水达标治理过程中存在的问题,并探讨了开发廉价、高效、可降解微生物絮凝剂的发展趋势和研究方向.     

声波吹灰器在300MW发电机组的应用

华电潍坊发电有限公司通过不断探索改造,利用成熟技术,解决了原蒸汽吹灰系统长期投用的问题,并发挥了较好的吹灰效果.吹灰器改造后的试验报告,验证了投用波吹灰器对提高锅炉效率和锅炉安全性能有明显作用,在同类型机组上具有较强的推广意义.     

大理生态旅游资源开发的思考与探析

生态旅游是一种符合可持续发展的旅游形式，可持续发展旅游业不仅保护环境，保护旅游资源，还为旅游业的后续开发提供条件。分析了大理生态旅游的现状及其存在的问题，提出了相应的对策措施。     

混凝法在滇池蓝藻暴发期净水除藻的可行性研究

采用精制硫酸铝为混凝剂,L93^4正交法安排滇池蓝藻暴发期混凝沉降除藻除净水工艺实验。结果表明,混凝剂种类、水样pH值对蓝藻去除率有很大影响。研究确定了混凝剂除藻最佳操作条件,为混凝法去除蓝藻的工业化提供了理论和实际操作依据。