Ameliorating effects of hormone and Cu on salt stressed Brassica nigra (L.) Koch with reference to growth and biochemical characteristics

The ameliorating effects of exogenous hormone and calcium were investigated in salt-stressed black mustard seedlings (Brassica nigra L.). The seedlings were subjected to various treatments: control (nutrient solution), salt stress, kinetin/abscisic acid (ABA)/calcium chloride (CaCl₂). Sodium chloride (NaCl) inhibited shoot length (45–55%) and root (<75%). Further, alterations in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were consistent with changes in levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde (MDA). The beneficial effects of ABA and CaCl₂ in ameliorating salt stress may be attributed to the reduction of membrane peroxidation and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. These observations suggest that oxidative stress resulting from salt stress in B. nigra may result in production of antioxidative enzymes to counteract oxidative damage, and the enzymes may contribute to the ability of B. nigra to survive adverse conditions. Data indicate that hormone and ion in the order of kinetin > ABA > calcium alleviate the adverse impact of salt on B. nigra.     

不同密度水浮莲的形态和生长反应及其对土壤养分的影响

为了解入侵植物水浮莲在水生环境中的入侵和扩散规律,本文通过田间水稻田实验,按照添加系列设计方法研究不同密度下水浮莲幼苗的形态和生长反应,以及对土壤养分的影响。结果表明,不同种植密度下水浮莲在母株株高、母株叶片数、分蘖能力、开花株数和死亡株数生长动态具有明显的差异。水浮莲形态特征,随种植密度降低分蘖等级和数量显著增加,密度60株时最大为29.45株·基株-1,360株时最小为1.10株·基株-1;母株株高总体上呈现出逐渐降低的趋势,而根长的变化规律不明显;中等种植密度的母株叶片数明显大于低等和高等密度的;植株开花与死亡株数多数显著增加;水浮莲出现有性和无性繁殖,但无性繁殖占绝对优势。水浮莲生物量,随种植密度降低总生物量显著增加,60株时最大为31.18 g·基株-1,360株时最小为5.64 g·基株-1;母株生物量总、花、叶和根生物量总体上逐渐降低,而分蘖植株总、叶、花和根生物量显著增加。水浮莲生长需要消耗大量的土壤养分,其中对有机质和速效钾消耗是最大的,分别达到8.55~21.56 g·kg-1和649.43~679.45 mg·kg-1;随种植密度降低水浮莲对土壤有机质、氮、磷和钾的吸收绝大多数显著增加。不同种植密度下水浮莲在形态、生长、繁殖以及对土壤养分影响的差异,可能是由其最初种植密度形成不同的种内竞争强度造成的。     

Quantal response of Paleomonetes africanus in locally formulated drilling mud lubricants

The toxic potency of three locally formulated drilling mud lubricants against Paleomonetes africanus, a brackish water crustacean commonly found in the oil producing Niger Delta (Nigeria), was evaluated. A 96?h exposure to quantal (lethal) doses of the mud lubricants gave LC₅₀ (median lethal concentration) of 350, 620 and 210?mg?L^?1, respectively. The mud lubricant with the highest molecular weight of 40,000?g?mol^?1 (lubricant 2) had the least toxicity on the organisms, attributable to the reduced rate of diffusion into the vital cells of the test organism. The higher toxicity of lubricant 3 over lubricant 1, despite its higher molecular weight, might be as a result of its higher acid value of 21.60?mg?KOH?g^?1. The results show that the test lubricants would be environmentally friendly within the baseline concentrations and lethal times (LT₅₀) measured.     

Clinical and analytical follow‐up of 25 persons exposed accidentally to beryllium†

An accidental exposition of 25 persons to beryllium dust was used to follow up trace analytical and clinical parameters over a period of 10 months. Although no exposed person shows any symptoms of an acute beryllium intoxication, up to 5‐fold increased beryllium concentrations could be analysed in serum samples about 10 hours after exposition. The beryllium clearance shows a biological half time in the range of 2 to 8 weeks. The beryllium determination in the nanogram range was carried out using a combined method by flameless a.a.s. with a detection limit of 0.6 ppb Be and a relative standard deviation from 20 to 4% in relation to the concentration range of beryllium measurement.

Beryllium analyses are completed by thorax X‐ray, spirometry, y‐globulins and liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT), which have shown no pathological values. Because it is known for beryllium to sensitize the cellular immune response, neopterin measurement was used to determine the activity of the immune system. Neopterin, a pteridine synthesized by activated macrophages after stimulation by gamma‐interferon derived from sensitized T‐lymphocytes, was determined in urine samples by HPLC combined with an fluorescence detector. Only in two cases a slight increase of neopterin has been found. As a result of this study it can be summarized, that a short‐time exposure to beryllium (10–20 h), which results in a increase of beryllium in serum to the fivefold normal beryllium level, does not initiate any symptoms of an acute beryllium intoxication. The exposed persons are controlled in future to evaluate the further course.     

重金属离子(Hg2+,Cu2+,Ag+)对鲮鱼咳嗽反应的影响

研究了重金属离子(Hg~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Ag~+)对鲮鱼(Cirrhinus molitorella)咳嗽反应(cough response)的影响,并探讨利用这种反应作为生物监测水质重金属污染的可能性。实验结果表明,鲮鱼咳嗽反应的频率明显地随溶液中重金属离子浓度的增加而急剧增加。鲮鱼经受含三种重金属离子的混合溶液处理时,其反应比用含单一离子的溶液处理时强烈,提示重金属离子对鱼类呼吸运动机能的影响可能有协同作用。     

响应曲面法优化苯酚降解菌Pseudomonas stutzri JFL2008固定化细胞活化培养基

以聚乙烯醇、海藻酸钠为复合载体,固定化Pseudomonas stutzri JFL2008,通过响应曲面法优化活化培养基,考察活化培养的固定化细胞降酚能力。结论：在连续完全降解1 000 mg/L苯酚过程中,活化培养比未经活化培养的固定化细胞多运行10个批次,表明响应曲面法适用于活化培养基的优化。     

Anatomical and physiological divergences and compensatory effects in two Leymus chinensis (Poaceae) ecotypes in Northeast China

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomical and physiological differences between two Leymus chinensis ecotypes coexisted in semi-humid meadow and semi-arid steppe. The study addressed the hypothesis that, at same habitat, the two ecotypes exhibit remarkable divergences in adaptive strategies under drought and salinity, and the function of these strategies is compensatory. Leaf samples were collected from each type at the two sites in field. Sections of 2 cm × 2 cm were cut from the middle of fully expanded leaves and fixed in FAA. Leaf anatomical traits (e.g. stomatal density, leaf thickness and vessel diameters) were examined, and leaf mass per area (LMA), relative water content (RWC), proline, K⁺ and Na⁺ were measured. Compared with the gray green type (GG), the yellow green type (YG) with relative greater LMA and leaf thickness, lower stomatal density and index exhibited more obvious xerophil-liked anatomical traits, while higher RWC, proline, K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ for the GG type suggested that the ability of osmotic adjustment and salt tolerance of the GG type were stronger than the YG type. Stronger xerophytic anatomical traits were the supplementary strategies of the YG type for its low ability of osmotic adjustment and salt tolerance to drought and salinity.Concluding, there exist significant differences in anatomical and physiological strategies between the two ecotypes and the compensatory effects of these strategies enable the two ecotypes coexist at similar habitat.     

Assessing municipal-level governance responses to climate change in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

The 2011 Durban Adaptation Charter for Local Governments calls on local governments, worldwide, to institutionalise climate response, with the aim of minimising the impacts of climate change on local livelihoods and vulnerable communities. This paper, through the use of case studies, in-depth interviews and document review, assesses how three non-metropolitan municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, a district municipality, and two local municipalities under its jurisdiction, are responding to this call. The results suggest that while the municipalities have adopted measures to institutionalise climate responses, the responses are relatively new and implementation is slow, complex and fraught with limitations and competing demands. Furthermore, there appears to be a lack of co-ordination of responses between the two levels of government, which has the potential to lead to duplication. Given the multi-scalar nature of climate change, emphasis on co-ordination and the inclusion of all municipal departments in the development and implementation of responses is necessary.     

贵州省乡村旅游空间特征的主导因子及其空间响应——基于地理加权相关系数的分析

选取贵州省1976个乡村旅游点作为研究对象,采用核密度、地理探测器、地理加权相关系数探究了2017—2019年该省乡村旅游空间特征、主导因子及其空间响应。结果表明:(1)乡村旅游空间格局为"中部集聚、周边随机"和"双核心、多热点"。(2)高程、住宿接待能力、水文环境、地形坡高等是影响乡村旅游空间特征的主要因素。(3)除地形坡高与乡村旅游呈负相关外,其他主导因子均与乡村旅游呈正相关,高程的起伏促进了乡村旅游的发展。     

Optimization of carbon dioxide absorption in a continuous bubble column reactor using response surface methodology

Carbon dioxide absorption using amine based solvents is a well-known approach for carbon dioxide removal. Especially with the increasing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need for an optimization approach capable of multifactor calibration and prediction of interactions. Since conventional methods based on empirical relations are not efficiently applicable, this study investigates use of Response Surface Methodology as a strong optimization tool. A bubble column reactor was used and the effect of solvent concentration (10.0, 20.0 and 30.0 vol%), flow rate (4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 L min⁻¹), diffuser pore size (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm) and temperature (20.0, 25.0 and 30.0°C) on the absorption capacity and also overall mass transfer coefficient was evaluated. The optimization results for maintaining maximum capacity and overall mass transfer coefficient revealed that different optimization targets led to different tuned operational factors. Overall mass transfer coefficient decreased to 34.7 min⁻¹ when the maximum capacity was the desired target. High reaction rate along with the highest absorption capacity was set as desirable two factor target in this application. As a result, a third scenario was designed to maximize both mass transfer coefficient and absorption capacity simultaneously. The optimized condition was achieved when a gas flow rate of 5.9 L min⁻¹, MEA solution of 29.6 vol%, diffuser pore size of 0.5 mm and temperature of 20.6°C was adjusted. At this condition, mass transfer coefficient reached a maximum of 38.4 min⁻¹, with a forecasted achievable absorption capacity of 120.5 g CO₂ per kg MEA.