Brilliant red X-3B uptake by a novel polycyclodextrin-modified magnetic cationic hydrogel: Performance, kinetics and mechanism

A novel polycyclodextrin-modified magnetic cationic hydrogel (PCD-MCH) was developed and its performance, kinetics and mechanism for the removal of reactive brilliant red X-3B (X-3B) were studied. The results showed that the zeta-potential of PCD-MCH was 32.8 to 16.7 mV at pH 3.0–10.5. The maximum X-3B adsorption capacity of PCD-MCH was 2792.3 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics could be well-described by the Weber–Morris model and the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM). Diffusion stages corresponding to surface or film diffusion, intra-particle or wide mesopore diffusion, and narrow mesopore/micropore diffusion occurred at 0–120, 120–480 and 480–1200 min, respectively. The latter two diffusion stages were rate-controlling for X-3B adsorption kinetics. At the initial X-3B concentration of 600 mg/L, the diffusion coefficient (D_s) and external mass transfer coefficient in the liquid phase (k_F) were 3 × 10^?11 cm²/min and 4.68 × 10^?6 cm/min, respectively. X-3B approaching the center of PCD-MCH particles could be observed at 360 min. At the end of the third diffusion stage, the C_p at q/q_e = 0 was 45.20 mg/L, which was close to the homogeneous C_p value of 46 mg/L along the radius of PCD-MCH particles. At pH 3.0–10.0, PCD-MCH showed stable X-3B adsorption capacities. After five regeneration-reuse cycles, the residual adsorption capacity of regenerated PCD-MCH was higher than 892.7 mg/g. The corresponding adsorption mechanism was identified as involving electrostatic interactions, cyclodextrin cavities and hydrogen bonds, of which cyclodextrin cavities showed prominent capture performance towards dye molecules through the formation of inclusion complexes.     

XDLVO理论解析钙离子对腐殖酸反渗透膜污染的影响机制

以XDLVO（extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek）理论定量解析腐殖酸反渗透（reverse osmosis,RO）膜污染过程中的界面相互作用,分析3种界面相互作用力在膜污染过程中的贡献,重点探究不同溶液pH条件下Ca2＋对腐殖酸RO膜污染的影响.结果表明,无论Ca2＋是否存在,对膜污染起促进作用的范德华力在pH 3时为主导作用力,而减缓膜污染的极性作用力在pH 7及pH 10时成为主控因素.静电力在所有测试条件下作用微弱,因此对膜污染贡献很小.Ca2＋主要通过改变极性作用力影响腐殖酸RO膜污染行为,且其影响随溶液pH值的降低而凸显,多数情况下Ca2＋会促进腐殖酸RO膜污染.界面自由能与膜污染程度相关性分析表明,XDLVO理论可以合理预测不同溶液条件下腐殖酸RO膜污染行为.     

表面活性剂去除土壤和地下水中LNAPLs作用机制研究

去除多孔介质中滞留的LNAPLs,表面活性剂对LNAPLs的增溶和降低界面张力是关键.在实验测得不同浓度Triton X-100溶液对正十六烷的增溶以及它们之间界面张力的基础上,通过平衡清洗实验和砂柱冲洗实验分析了不同形态正十六烷的产生规律和机制.结果表明,正十六烷溶解能力与Triton X-100浓度成正比,当Triton X-100浓度大于临界胶束浓度CMC时,计算得摩尔增溶比MSR=1.680 4,胶束相/水相分配系数对数值lgK_mc=1.715 8;正十六烷-Triton X-100溶液之间界面张力与Triton X-100浓度成反比,其变化规律符合高斯模型（R₂=0.996 4）;溶解态正十六烷和自由态正十六烷与增溶和降低界面张力分别有较好的对应关系,表明增溶和降低界面张力都对多孔介质中正十六烷去除有影响,其中降低界面张力可以有效增加多孔介质中正十六烷的流动性,在正十六烷去除过程中起主要作用.     

Scent-marking behavior in wild groups of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Scent-marking in mammals has been frequently related to within-group social and reproductive dominance and to defense of territory and resources. We studied the scent-marking behavior of five wild groups of common marmosets, Callithrix jacchus, during 5 months of the fruiting season in northeastern Brazil. Circumgenital marking was the most common type of marking. Marks were distributed throughout the home range and were deposited mainly during travel and intergroup encounters. Although marks were commonly deposited at gum trees, there was no evidence that the animals used scent marks to label fruiting trees or sleeping sites. Contrary to expectations, reproductively dominant females did not mark more than reproductively subordinate females. Moreover, during intergroup encounters, reproductively subordinate females displayed higher frequencies of scent-marking than the reproductively dominant females of their group. Our results suggest that scent-marking is not strictly tied to reproductive dominance or territorial (or resource) defense in common marmosets. Because marks provide information about individual identity and reproductive condition, scent marks could serve different functions when used by different individuals. The high frequency of marking by reproductively subordinate females during intergroup encounters suggests that scent-marking might be used to signal to individuals of neighboring groups. Our data highlight the importance of social and ecological variables in scent-marking behavior. Received: 26 October 1998 / Received in revised form: 20 May 1999 / Accepted: 30 May 1999     

Spatiotemporal dynamics in variable population interactions with density-dependent interaction coefficients

In this article, I present a two-patch metapopulation model with locally explicit dynamics to study the effect of spatial heterogeneity and dispersal upon population interactions with variable or conditional outcomes. These are interactions that may be either detrimental or beneficial for each species depending on the balance of the density-dependent costs and benefits involved. The local dynamics respond to density-dependent α-interaction functions that may change sign, thus yielding a diversity of possible local outcomes for the association in terms of type of interaction and in the number of stable solutions. The spatiotemporal model predicts that the fragmentation of space and dispersal between patches may cause further variation in these outcomes. First, the demographic performance of a species in the association is enhanced if migrations cause a proportional increase of individuals of its own species; being so, a victim may become a mutualist or an exploiter, an excluded species may invade, and a good competitor may overcome its own carrying capacity: the ‘enhancement effect of dispersal’; a sort of rescue effect in source-sink dynamics. The underlying mechanisms involve an interplay between density-dependent effects of dispersal per se and the relative local and global average α-interaction functions, which involve costs and benefits at both the local and regional level that may either counteract or reinforce each other; thus, localities and/or populations may change dynamically their sink or source role in the spatial dynamics. A significant insight arises herewith: in the context of variable or conditional interactions the concept of the role of a species does not make strict sense; it becomes a spatiotemporal dynamic quality. Second, regardless of which species disperses, bifurcation of equilibria may occur in those patches that receive the migrating individuals, and annihilation of equilibria in those from where migration leaves; thus, the number of equilibria increases or decreases accordingly.     

An overlooked side effect of nest-scattering behavior to decrease predation risk (Acari: Tetranychidae,Stigmaeidae)

The number of nests containing egg masses a female makes over her lifetime and the pattern of scattering nests vary among species in a genus of nest-weaving spider mites (Stigmaeopsis). We hypothesized that the scattered nests of small nest builders have a previously overlooked indirect effect in that the void nests created after predation take on a new role as hindering devices that effectively decrease predator searching efficiency. First, we demonstrated that the experimental design used in this study is a good reflection of the nest distribution pattern of Stigmaeopsis takahashii (an intermediate-sized nest builder) in the field. Using this species as a model, we tested how different nest-scattering patterns affect the predator to examine how scattering may indirectly provide an anti-predation strategy by increasing a predators searching time. Next, we observed how artificially arranged void nests disturb predatory behavior in both starved and fully fed predator females and showed that void nests have a strong hindering effect on predators. Thus, we concluded that the nesting behavior of this mite species not only has anti-predator effects but must also have a stabilizing effect on predator–prey interaction systems at the population level.     

Structure and resilience of the social network in an insect colony as a function of colony size

Social interactions are critical to the organization of worker activities in insect colonies and their consequent ecological success. The structure of this interaction network is therefore crucial to our understanding of colony organization and functioning. In this paper, I study the properties of the interaction network in the colonies of the social wasp Ropalidia marginata. I find that the network is characterized by a uniform connectivity among individuals with increasing heterogeneity as colonies become larger. Important network parameters are found to be correlated with colony size and I investigate how this is reflected in the organization of work in colonies of different sizes. Finally, I test the resilience of these interaction networks by experimental removal of individuals from the colony and discuss the structural properties of the network that are related to resilience in a social network. This contribution is part of the special issue “Social Networks: new perspectives” (Guest Editors: J. Krause, D. Lusseau, and R. James).     

Influence of inoculating earthworms on removal of pyrene in soils growing Festuca arundinacea

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the potential of inoculating earthworms (Pheretima sp.) in order to enhance phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) present in soils with the use of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). In particular, experiments with or without inoculating earthworms for removal of pyrene was investigated. Results showed that planting of F. arundinacea enhanced the removal of pyrene at initial content over 70 days approximately 54%–80% but only 12%–24% occurred in non-planted soils. After inoculating earthworms, the dissipation rates of pyrene in planted soils were increased up to 61%–86%, which was 6%–12% higher than those in corresponding soils without inoculating earthworms. Among all possible pathways, the contribution of plant--microbial interactions on removal of pyrene was predominant, either with (46%) or without inoculating earthworms (52%), is the primary mechanism of contaminant removal. Data suggest inoculating earthworms may be a feasible way for reinforcing removal of PAH in contaminated sites.     

Effects of cucl2 on UV‐mutagenesis and on DNA damage in a restriction fragment of E. Coli gpt∗

CuCl₂ does not cause Trp⁺ reversion in E. coli WP2. However, when the bacteria are exposed to CuCl₂ and UV‐irradiated, a greater than 3‐fold enhancement of mutagenesis (compared to UV alone) is seen at 30 μMCuCl₂, and significant enhancement is seen even at 3 μM. The mechanism for this comutagenic effect was studied using a restriction fragment of the E. coli gpt gene. Whereas UV or CuCl₂ alone caused few strand breaks, UV + CuCl₂ induced breaks at every site. This reaction was blocked by KI, a free radical scavenger. While UV alone induced alkali‐labile sites, UV+ CuCl₂ induced many more such sites and altered the sequence specificity. We suggest that at least some of the comutagenic effect might be due to hydroxyl radical formed via a Fenton reaction.     

Resource use conflicts in Usangu Plains,Mbarali District,Tanzania

Conflicts over natural resources such as land, water, and forests are ubiquitous. People everywhere have competed for natural resources to enhance their livelihoods. However, the dimensions, level and intensity of conflict vary greatly from one place to another. This study was conducted in Usangu plains, Mbarali district, Tanzania, to investigate resource use conflicts and their underlying causes. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and household survey using a structured questionnaire were the major tools for data collection. Participant observation and secondary data sources were also used to supplement information. The study revealed the existence of resource use conflicts in the area. About 50% of respondents argued that relationships between the various ethnic groups in Usangu plains were bad. Conflicts were centred on competition for water and land. Crop damage was ranked highest (25% of respondents) as a cause behind many conflicts in the area. The study recommends that the government should redefine land tenure and land rights, enhance crop-livestock linkages and carry out a stakeholder analysis in the Usangu plains.