Low mating frequency of queens in the stingless bee<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Scaptotrigona postica</Emphasis><Superscript>1</Superscript> and worker maternity of males

Kin selection models of intracolonial conflict over the maternity of males predict that social hymenopteran workers should favour the production of sons and nephews over brothers when the effective mating frequency (m_e) of the queen is low (m_e<2) but that they should police other workers' reproductive efforts and favour the production of brothers when m_e>2. Stingless bees have been used to support these models in that m_e within the group is considered low and workers are thought often to monopolise the parentage of males. We genetically analysed 20 worker and 20 male pupae from each of 10 colonies of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona postica (= Scaptotrigona aff. depilis) using six microsatellite loci and demonstrate queen monandry in eight nests and apparent low m_e in the other two. However, four colonies contained an additional matriline, possibly due to queen supersedure (serial polygyny), which complicated their genetic structure. Across colonies, workers were responsible for the maternity of 13% of all males. These data are broadly in agreement with predictions from kin selection theory, though the question remains open as to why workers do not secure a greater share of male maternity in this and other stingless bee species in which workers are more closely related to nephews than brothers.     

Assessment of chemical process hazards in early design stages

A new method called SREST-layer-assessment method with automated software tool is presented that in a hierarchical approach reveals the degree of non-ideality of chemical processes with regard to SHE (safety, health and environment) aspects at different layers: the properties of the chemical substances involved (substance assessment layer (SAL)), possible interactions between the substances (reactivity assessment layer (RAL)), possible hazard scenarios resulting from the combination of substances and operating conditions in the various equipments involved (equipment assessment layer (EAL)), and the safety technologies that are required to run a process safely and in accordance with legal regulations (safety-technology assessment layer (STAL)). In RAL, EAL and STAL the main focus is put on process safety. A case study is used to show the principles of the method. It is demonstrated how the method can be used as a systematic tool to support chemical engineers and chemists in evaluating chemical process safety in early process development stages.     

Characterization, Source Identification and Apportionment of Selected Metals in TSP in an Urban Atmosphere

To understand the metal distribution characteristics in the atmosphere of urban Islamabad, total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were collected on daily 12 h basis, at Quaid-i-Azam University campus, using high volume sampler. The TSP samples were treated with HNO₃/HClO₄ based wet digestion method for the quantification of eight selected metals; Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni and Cd by FAAS method. The monitoring period ran from June 2001 to January 2002, with a total of 194 samples collected on cellulose filters. Effects of different meteorological conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction on selected metal levels were interpreted by means of multivariate statistical approach. Enhanced metal levels for Fe (930 ng/m³), Zn (542 ng/m³) and Pb (210 ng/m³) were found on the mean scale while Mn, Cr, Co and Ni emerged as minor contributors. Statistical correlation study was also conducted and a strong correlation was observed between Pb-Cr (r=0.611). The relative humidity showed some significant influence on atmospheric metal distribution while other meteorological parameters showed weak relationship with TSP metal levels. Regarding the origin of sources of heavy metals in TSP, the statistical procedure identified three source profiles; automobile emissions, industrial/metallurgical units, and natural soil dust. The metal levels were also compared with those reported for other parts of the world which showed that the metal levels in urban atmosphere of Islamabad are in exceedence than those of European industrial and urban sites while comparable with some Asian sites.     

A holistic study on geothermal and solar water desalination system for sustainable development

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper shows the comparison of the various conventional technologies used for desalination and the advantages of using renewable energy such as...     

高海拔水电水库温室气体的排放特征——以雅鲁藏布江藏木水库为例

水电水库是大气温室气体的重要来源,在一定程度上影响着区域气候变化.然而目前关于水库温室气体排放的估算仍然存在很大的不确定性,一方面原因是缺失了世界各地山区水库的数据,另一方面原因是未将受水库影响的上下游河道考虑在内.本研究重点关注雅鲁藏布江流域水电水库——藏木水库丰枯水期CO2、CH4和N2O的溶存浓度与扩散通量的时空...     

The nexus between financial development,globalization, and environmental degradation: Fresh evidence from Central and Eastern European Countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions have become a severe threat to our ecosystem. Prior studies on environment posit that ample exhaustion of...     

渭南主城区道路积尘负荷及交通扬尘颗粒物排放

对渭南主城区道路积尘负荷进行了实测,并计算了2018年不同道路类型和不同车型的交通扬尘颗粒物排放量。结果表明:渭南主城区支路积尘负荷最大,为1.79g/m~2,高速积尘负荷最小,为0.05g/m~2,洒水作业能有效降低积尘负荷;渭南主城区道路交通扬尘PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)的年排放量分别为1 149.65、4 751.88t;小型客车引起的交通扬尘颗粒物排放在城市道路(包括主干道、次干道、支路)和国省道(包括国道和省道)上的分担率最高,分别为59.49%、41.46%,重型货车在高速上的分担率最高,为63.35%;城市道路交通扬尘颗粒物排放有明显的双峰日变化规律,而国省道和高速不明显。     

Developing the first halophytic turfgrasses for the urban landscape from native Arabian desert grass

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Climate change is occurring and is influencing biological systems through augmented temperatures, more inconstant precipitation, and rising CO2 in the...