Polychlorinated biphenyl (118) activates osteoclasts and induces bone resorption in goldfish

To analyze the effect of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 118 on fish bone metabolism, we examined osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities, as well as plasma calcium levels, in the scales of PCB (118)-injected goldfish. In addition, effect of PCB (118) on osteoclasts and osteoblasts was investigated in vitro. Immature goldfish, in which the endogenous effects of sex steroids are negligible, were used. PCB (118) was solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide at a concentration of 10 ppm. At 1 and 2 days after PCB (118) injection (100 ng/g body weight), both osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities, and plasma calcium levels were measured. In an in vitro study, then, both osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities as well as each marker mRNA expression were examined. At 2 days, scale osteoclastic activity in PCB (118)-injected goldfish increased significantly, while osteoblastic activity did not change significantly. Corresponding to osteoclastic activity, plasma calcium levels increased significantly at 2 days after PCB (118) administration. Osteoclastic activation also occurred in the marker enzyme activities and mRNA expressions in vitro. Thus, we conclude that PCB (118) disrupts bone metabolism in goldfish both in vivo and in vitro experiments.     

Cryptic invasion of northeast Pacific estuaries by the Asian polychaete, Hediste diadroma (Nereididae)

The estuarine polychaete, Hediste diadroma (Nereididae), of eastern Asia was found at all six sites sampled in October 2009 in northeast Pacific estuaries, including the Columbia River, along a 300-km stretch of coastline in Washington and Oregon, USA. The immature worms were returned to the laboratory in Japan where 13 of them were cultured to sexual maturity after 5–7 months. These worms had the diagnostic, epitoke-specific spinigers that distinguish H. diadroma from all other Hediste species. Their egg sizes (140–170 μm), paragnath numbers on the proboscis, and chromosome number (2n = 28) were also consistent with those previously reported for the Japanese population of H. diadroma. The widespread distribution of H. diadroma indicates that it is a successful invader of the North American Pacific and it may have long escaped detection because of its morphological similarity to the native species, H. limnicola. The long pelagic life of H. diadroma larvae could have facilitated its successful trans-ocean dispersal with ballast water of ships.     

Application of recording films of solar radiation for environmental and ecological research

Global solar radiation is recorded by fading of the colored film into which azo-dye is impregnated with use of organic solvent. Oil Red O, Sudan I, Sudan IV and Pyridylazonaphthol are used as the azo dye. These films can be applied to measure the solar radiation in many kinds of environmental or ecological conditions. The merits of the film compared with usual measurements are to be: unnecessary of any electric sources; cheap and mass-productive easily; suitable to integrate solar radiation for long time; easy dealing in out-door or underwater conditions; possible to use on leaves of any plants because of light weight; possible to use in a lot of points at the same time.     

Investigation of the properties of the accidental release and explosion of liquefied dimethyl ether at a filling station

Dimethyl ether (DME) has been focused as a substitute for diesel fuel, and a number of studies have investigated engines fueled with DME because DME has a low auto-ignition temperature and does not generate particulate matter (PM). Therefore, in the last few years, the construction of DME filling stations for trucks in Japan has been planned. The introduction of DME vehicles requires expansion of DME supply stations, which in turn requires the collection of safety data and the establishment of safety regulations. The present paper describes an experimental investigation of the hypothetical scenario in which liquid DME is accidentally released and an explosion occurs. In the present study, large-scale leakage and ignition of DME were investigated and flame propagation data was obtained. We also measured the overpressure of the blast wave and the heat flux from the fireball. When the ignition position is near the nozzle, the flame propagation velocity is higher. The overpressure from the DME fireball is stronger than that from DME/air mixture deflagration. In summary, these results provide safety data for safety management of DME filling stations.     

Study on the influence of material thermal characteristics on dust explosion parameters of three long-chain monobasic alcohols

Sensitivity and severity parameters are critical for risk assessment and safety management of dust explosions. In this paper, to reveal the effects of material thermal characteristics on dust explosions parameters during monobasic alcohols dust explosions, three long chain monobasic alcohols, being solid at room temperature and similar in physical–chemical properties, were chosen to carry out experiments in different functional test apparatus according to the internationally accepted ASTM standards. As a result, it was found that the material thermal characteristics strongly affected these basic explosive parameters. On the one hand, for the sensitivity parameters, Minimum Ignition Temperature, Minimum Ignition Energy and Electrical Resistivity were the highest in the Eicosanol dust cloud, while Minimum Explosible Concentration in this cloud was the lowest. On the other hand, for severity parameters, Maximum Explosion Pressure in Eicosanol dust cloud always maintained the highest values as varying the dust concentrations. In contrast, Deflagration Index showed a complex trend.     

Use of two population metrics clarifies biodiversity dynamics in large-scale monitoring: the case of trees in Japanese old-growth forests

An alkaline comet assay and a micronucleus test were carried out on erythrocytes of the European chub, Squalius cephalus L., collected in spring and autumn in 2005 and 2006 at three sampling sites in River Sava, near Zagreb, Croatia. The results of comet assay showed the lowest genotoxic influence at the least polluted site, while higher DNA damage was observed at the polluted sites. Although the basal levels of DNA damage were elevated, a clear gradation of DNA damage was found due to pollution intensity in all sampling periods. The lowest cytogenetic damage as revealed by the micronucleus test (MNT) was observed as well at the least polluted site. High variations in MN frequency were observed between sampling periods, although the number of micronucleated erythrocytes was consistently the highest one at the polluted site. The comet assay as a biomarker of genotoxic effect exhibited higher sensitivity in discriminating the genotoxic capacity of studied polluted sites while the MNT was less sensitive. However, both tests should be used together in biomonitoring studies because they can reveal different aspects of DNA damage; comet assay, the early event of genotoxic exposure, and MNT, its final result as a mutagenic potential.     

藏北高原土壤温度异常变化及其与雪灾关系初析

通过对ＧＡＭＥ－Ｔｉｂｅｔ野外工作期间所得藏北高原一个年周期的土壤温度资料的初步分析,发现藏北高原１９９７￣１９９８年冬半年土壤日温差的分布存在明显的异常现象;指出了这种异常现象的发生可能与藏北高原１９９７年冬天的特大雪灾有关。从浅层土壤日温差的异常变化,定性地说明了藏北高原１９９７￣１９９８年冬半年不同地点雪灾的严重程度,但由于受资料的限制,目前尚无法进行定量的评估。     

A data-oriented strategy to support water resource managers and researchers

Given the wide diversity of data services provided to national water management agencies, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in collaboration with the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) developed the approach described in the report, Implementing the GEOSS Water Strategy—From Observations to Decisions to develop more coherent and equitable data services for water management through the use of Earth observations. Among other water resource issues, it recognized the need to enhance data-enriched water management services to support decision making related to drought monitoring, flood warning, tracking and improving sustainable development and monitoring and ameliorating the impacts of climate change. Needs associated with the Strategy's four themes: improved data acquisition for essential water variables, research and product development, interoperability and coordination, and capacity development and decision support, are reviewed. Responses to the recommendations have been undertaken by GEO, led by its Global Water Sustainability (GEOGloWS) initiative which includes NASA contributions, CEOS, and the Global Terrestrial Network for Hydrology (GTN-H). Progress on the themes is reviewed and benefits of these developments for international and US water management are identified. The commentary concludes with a summary of what has been achieved, what remains to be done, and the priority focus areas for implementation in the final year of the Strategy.     

Validation of diffusive mini-samplers for aldehyde and VOC and its feasibility for measuring the exposure levels of elementary school children

Exposure to various chemicals can cause adverse effects to health, such as asthma and allergies, especially in children. Data on personal exposure levels in children are scarce, thus small lightweight diffusive mini-samplers for aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were designed to measure the exposure level of children to these chemicals. The aim of the study was to validate and examine the applicability of these mini-samplers for measuring daily chemical exposure. The diffusive mini-samplers are 20 mm in length, 11 mm in diameter, and 1.67 g in weight. The devices are cylindrically shaped with polytetrafluoroethylene membrane filters placed at each end. To measure aldehydes and acetone, 20 mg of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine was used as an absorbent. To measure VOCs, a carbon molecular sieve was used. The sampling rate for each chemical was determined by parallel sampling with active samplers in a closed exposure bag. The blank levels of the chemicals and the storage stability of the device were tested. The mini-samplers were compared to commercially available diffusive samplers. To examine the applicability of the samplers, 65 elementary school children carried them for 24 h. The sampling rates for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were 20.9, 22.9, and 19.7 mL min(-1), respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for the 24-hour sampling by high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet (HPLC/UV) analysis were 8.3, 7.6, and 8.8 μg m(-3) for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone, respectively. The sampling rates for the 11 VOCs were determined and ranged from 3.3 mL min(-1) for styrene and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol to 11.7 mL min(-1) for benzene. The LOQ for the 24-hour sampling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis ranged from 5.9-105.2 μg m(-3), 1.1-24.7 parts per billion. The storage stability after 5 days ranged from 94.8 to 118.2%. Formaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and toluene were detected above the LOQ in more than 90% of the children, and the median concentrations were 21.7, 20.9, 10.1, and 21.5 μg m(-3), respectively. This study shows that the diffusive samplers developed were suitable for children to carry and were capable of measuring the children's daily chemical exposure.