Color choices by bumble bees (Bombus terrestris): innate preferences and generalization after learning

It is usually assumed that the choice behavior of bees for floral colors is influenced by innate preferences only for the first flower visits prior to any experience. After visits to rewarding flowers bees learn to associate their colors with a reward. This learning process leads to an acquired preference for the trained colors that has been believed to dominate over previous experiences and over innate preferences. This work investigates how bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) chose among artificial flowers of different colors after they had been extensively trained to other colors. The bees chose novel colors according to their similarity to the trained color if the trained color was similar to some of the test colors. This was true also if trained colors and test colors were well distinguished, so their color choice reflected generalization between colors. If the test colors were so different from the trained color that no generalization took place, choice behavior was not affected by the trained color and reflected innate preferences. The differences in choice frequencies could not be explained by physical properties of the test colors other than the dominant wavelength, a parameter taken to reflect hue perception. Preferred dominant wavelengths correspond to those observed in naive bumble bees and honeybees. Thus bumble bees show innate preferences for certain colors not only prior to color learning but also after intensive learning when choosing among very different novel colors. Color choice among similar colors, however, is controlled by generalization from the learned color. Received: 9 November 1999 / Received in revised form: 19 March 2000 / Accepted: 31 March 2000     

Trapping and decomposing of color compounds from recycled water by TiO2 coated activated carbon

Five types of commercially available activated carbons (ACs) were coated with TiO₂ nanoparticles prepared using a sol–gel method. Color and trace organics remaining in the actual treated effluent were adsorbed by TiO₂ coated ACs. The absorbed organic compounds were then decomposed using a photocatalytic process, and the ACs were regenerated for reuse. The efficiency of the process was assessed by the characterization of true color and A₂₅₄ (the organics absorption at the wavelength of 254 nm) at the beginning and the end of the experiment. The effects of UV light source, UV irradiation time, hydrogen peroxide and ultrasound on the efficiency of photocatalytic regeneration were also investigated. Significant differences in the efficiency were observed between uncoated ACs and TiO₂ coated samples. Among the 5 types of ACs tested, AC-3, AC-4 and their coated ones achieved better efficiency in color and A₂₅₄ removal, with around 90% or more color and A₂₅₄ being removed within 1 h of treatment. The data obtained in this study also demonstrated that the photocatalytic process was effective for decomposing the adsorbed compounds and regenerating the spent TiO₂/AC-3. Finally, it was found that this regeneration process could be greatly enhanced with the assistance of H₂O₂ and ultrasound by reducing the required regeneration time.     

Anal gland secretion codes for family membership in the beaver

We investigated how information about family membership is coded by the individually specific anal gland secretion (AGS) in the beaver, Castor canadensis. Because beavers live in strict family units and relatives share more features in the AGS profile than non-relatives, family members share more AGS features than non-family members. Therefore, family recognition seems to be a natural consequence of the more specific kin recognition. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed two possibilities in coding for family membership using the multi-component AGS: either two (female) to three (male) AGS compounds or many compounds were used, but we were not able to determine which possibility is more likely. Compounds were not equally important in coding family membership information, and the interactions among compounds were complex. We attempted to reconstruct a lineage tree for the relationship among different families using two–three or many compounds. We found there was no significant difference for trees constructed by using few or many compounds in either males or females. However, the trees derived from male compounds and female compounds lacked good congruence. Received: 10 December 1998 / Accepted after revision: 13 July 1998     

河流水系编码规则的研究与应用

以黄河流域为主要研究区,利用ArcGIS、SQL Server等专业软件,针对1∶250000基础地理信息数据开展环境系统河流水系编码研究。通过对编码定义、规则及编码流程的具体阐述,提出了一种科学可行的河流水系编码方法。验证结果表明,该方法具有良好的应用性和推广价值,对于加强环境管理信息化以及更加科学高效地完成流域水环境监控与预警工作同样具有十分积极的意义。     

基于CPNtools的环评工程分析信息化技术的研究

以东北制药总厂现状环境评价为例,首先抽象出其采用的代数系统,然后构建了与其同构的着色PetriNet模型,并运用CPNtools完成了环境评价学的各种分析和论证,从而为构建C4ISRE奠定了基础。     

闵行区环境数据中心架构研究与实现

通过分析建立闵行区环境数据中心的必要性,探讨闵行区环境数据中心的建设目标、原则和构建过程、意义、成果和不足,以期对闵行区环境数据进一步进行规范化管理。     

Visual determination of nitrite and nitrate in waters by color band formation method

A spot test for aqueous nitrate and nitrite for controlling nitrogen removal performance in small-scale wastewater treatment facilities is proposed. In this method, NO(2)(-) ion in water samples was allowed to react with sulfanilic acid and 1-naphthol to form an anionic azo dye. The resulting colored solution was introduced onto a mini column (similar to a gas detecting tube) packed with PVC particles coated with benzyl cetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BCDMA) and biphenyl. The NO(2)(-)-N concentration was determined visually by measuring the color band length (CBL) in the column. The CBL correlates linearly with nitrite concentration in the 4-20 mg-N l(-1) range. The concentration of nitrite+nitrate was determined after reduction to nitrite with zinc. The concentration of NO(3)(-)-N species was calculated by difference. This method was used to visually determine the concentrations of NO(2)(-)-N and (NO(2)(-)+NO(3)(-))-N in domestic wastewater samples with maximum suspended solid (SS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of 114 mg l(-1) and 73.9 mg l(-1), respectively.