Preparation of capacitor’s electrode from sunflower seed shell

Series of nanoporous carbons are prepared from sunflower seed shell (SSS) by two different strategies and used as electrode material for electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC). The surface area and pore-structure of the nanoporous carbons are characterized intensively using N₂ adsorption technique. The results show that the pore-structure of the carbons is closely related to activation temperature and dosage of KOH. Electrochemical measurements show that the carbons made by impregnation-activation process have better capacitive behavior and higher capacitance retention ratio at high drain current than the carbons made by carbonization-activation process, which is due to that there are abundant macroscopic pores and less interior micropore surface in the texture of the former. More importantly, the capacitive performances of these carbons are much better than ordered mesoporous carbons and commercial wood-based active carbon, thus highlighting the success of preparing high performance electrode material for EDLC from SSS.     

Development of a sequence-specific real-time PCR to the melon thrips Thrips palmi (Thysan., Thripidae)

Abstract:  In recent years, the polyphagous pest Thrips palmi Karny has become a species of major quarantine concern, often intercepted on plant material in international trade. The ability to rapidly identify the species is a critical factor that will determine the success of any campaign to prevent its establishment in Europe or elsewhere. However, the immature stages cannot currently be identified to the species level with certainty by morphological methods. In this study, random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis was performed to identify putative markers, which were then screened by Southern blot analysis. One marker was sequenced and a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay developed. The assay was screened against 21 thrips species including 10 other species of the genus Thrips and were found to be specific to T. palmi . The assay is rapid, could be completed in as little as 45 min and can be used to aid the identification of T. palmi .     

Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis: when will there be two peaks of diversity?

Succession after disturbances generates a mosaic of patches in different successional stages. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that intermediate disturbances lead to the highest diversity of these stages on a regional scale resulting in a hump‐shaped diversity–disturbance curve. We tested this prediction using field data of forest succession and hypothetical succession scenarios in combination with analytical and simulation models. According to our study the main factors shaping the diversity–disturbance curve and the position of the diversity maximum were the transition times between the successional stages, the transition type, neighbourhood effects and the choice of diversity measure. Although many scenarios confirmed the intermediate disturbance hypothesis we found that deviations in the form of two diversity maximums were possible. Such bimodal diversity–disturbance curves occurred when early and late successional stages were separated by one or more long‐lived (compared to the early stages) intermediate successional stages. Although the field data which met these conditions among all those tested were rare (one of six), the consequences of detecting two peaks are fundamental. The impact of disturbances on biodiversity can be complex and deviate from a hump‐shaped curve.     

Seasonal changes in the relationship between plant species richness and community biomass in early succession

We analysed the relationship between plant species richness and productivity on first-year-old fields at two similar sites in central Europe. At both sites, a wide range of productivity levels was available resulting from different long-term fertilisation. In order to identify underlying mechanisms of the species richness–productivity relationship we included the seasonal dynamics and the number of individuals of each species in our analysis. We sampled 10 and 21 plots, respectively, at the two sites in May, June and July by harvesting all aboveground parts of vascular plants in 0.25 m² subplots. Species richness, number of individuals of each species and community biomass as a surrogate of productivity were recorded in each sample.At one site, the relationship between species richness and biomass was significantly positive in the May and June harvest. This relationship disappeared in the July harvest due to a reduction in species richness at high productivity levels. The relations between species richness and number of individuals and between number of individuals and biomass paralleled the species richness–productivity relation but the individual number–biomass relationship remained positive until the last harvest. Between-species differences in individual number–community biomass relationships and their seasonal dynamics revealed “interspecific competitive exclusion” even though the species richness–biomass relationships were not negative or hump-shaped. At the second site, species richness was not related to productivity or to number of individuals. Our study demonstrated the importance of temporal dynamics and regional processes in understanding species richness–productivity patterns.     

FOREST MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES AND SONGBIRD BREEDING HABITAT ON THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST,TENNESSEE

Abstract: We used a 60-yr forest simulation of the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, USA, to model the effects of timber harvest and natural disturbance upon habitat availability for 6 songbird species: Acadian flycatcher (Epidonax virescens), blue-headed vireo (Vireo solitarius), chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), tufted titmouse (Parus bicolor), yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), and yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica). Forest simulations, based on expected harvest intensities and historic levels of natural disturbance, were used to update a stand inventory database at 10-yr intervals between 1993 and 2053. Habitat models for the 6 bird species were applied to the updated stand inventory and available habitat quantified for each decade. Late-successional species showed substantial increases in habitat availability over the 60-yr period at most harvest intensities, whereas habitat for early-successional species was stable or declined at most harvest intensities. Acadian flycatcher, yellow-throated warbler, and blue-headed vireo habitat increased by 200%, 213%, and 40%, respectively, whereas tufted titmouse habitat remained relatively constant at expected harvest levels. Chestnut-sided warbler habitat was stable at expected harvest levels but declined at lower harvest intensities, and yellow-billed cuckoo habitat declined by 37% at expected harvest levels. Natural disturbance had little effect on habitat availability for any bird species compared to the effects of timber harvests and increasing forest age. Our models suggest that anthropogenic disturbance, and lack thereof, can play a definitive role determining habitat availability and population viability for forest songbirds.     

整治"三滥"是从源头遏制生态脆弱地区土地荒漠化的必由之路——以科尔沁沙地为例

针对中国土地荒漠化的现状和关键问题,以科尔沁沙地为例,阐述了荒漠化的发展历程、主要动因与未来趋势。科尔沁沙地正处在现代土地荒漠化过程之中,导致快速发展的荒漠化动因主要是源于人们不合理的土地利用方式,即滥垦、滥牧和滥伐(简称“三滥”);而在各种利农政策下,滥垦可能会重新滋生和蔓延,是非常值得借鉴的历史教训。本文应用复合生态系统的观点剖析了“三滥”与荒漠化的关系,并据此提出从源头减轻土地压力的6项对策。     

Life Cycle Approach in the Procurement Process: The Case of Defence Materiel (9 pp)

Goal, Scope and Background Procurement in public and non-public organisations has the potential to influence product development towards more environmentally friendly products. This article focuses on public procurement with procurement in Swedish defence as a special case. In 2003, public procurement in Sweden was 28% of the GDP. In the Swedish defence sector the amount was 2% of the GDP. The total emissions from the sector were of the same order of magnitude as from waste treatment (2% of Sweden's emissions). According to an appropriation letter from the Ministry of Defence in 1998, the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) are required to take environmental issues into consideration during the entire process of acquiring defence materiel. Environmental aspects are considered today, but without a life-cycle perspective. - The aims of this article are to recommend suitable tools for taking environmental concerns into account, considering a product's life-cycle, in the procurement process for defence materiel in Sweden; to make suggestions for how these tools could be used in the acquisition process; and to evaluate these suggestions through interviews with actors in the acquisition process. The procurement process does not include aspects specific to Swedish defence, and it is therefore likely to be comparable to processes in other countries. Methods The method involved a study of current literature and interviews with various actors in the acquisition process. The life cycle methods considered were quantitative Life Cycle Assessments, a simplified LCA-method called the MECO method and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). Results and Discussion Methodology recommendations for quantitative LCA and simplified LCA are presented in the article, as well as suggestions on how to integrate LCA methods in the acquisition process. We identified four areas for use for LCA in the acquisition process: to learn about environmental aspects of the product; to fulfil requirements from customers; to set environmental requirements and to choose between alternatives. Therefore, tools such as LCAs are useful in several steps in the acquisition process. Conclusion From the interviews, it became clear that the actors in the acquisition process think that environmental aspects should be included early in the process. The actors are interested in using LCA methods, but there is a need for an initiative from one or several of them if the method is to be used regularly in the process. Environmental and acquisition issues are handled with very little interaction in the controlling and ordering organisation. An integration of environmental and acquisition parts in these organisations is probably needed in order to integrate environmental aspects in general and life-cycle thinking in particular. Other difficulties identified are costs and time constraints. Recommendation and Perspective In order to include the most significant aspects when procuring materiel, it is important to consider the whole life-cycle of the products. Our major recommendation is that the defence sector should work systematically through different product groups. For each product group, quantitative, traditional LCAs or simplified LCAs (in this case modified MECOs) should be performed for reference products within each product group. The results should be an identification of critical aspects in the life-cycles of the products. The studies will also form a database that can be used when making new LCAs. This knowledge should then be used when writing specifications of what to procure and setting criteria for procurement. The reports should be publicly available to allow reviews and discussions of results. To make the work more cost-effective, international co-operation should be sought. In addition, LCAs can also be performed as an integrated part of the acquisition process in specific cases.     

Effect of temperature on growth, germination, germ-tube extension and survival of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251

Paecilomyces lilacinus and in particular the commercial strain 251 has been intensively tested for biological control of plant parasitic nematodes. Since this species has been mentioned in a number of reports concerning infection of humans, the human health risk for Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 was investigated. The effects of time, temperature and growth medium on radial colony growth and germination were determined. Additionally, exposure to 36°C and its effect on germ-tube extension and on survival of conidia was evaluated. Radial growth was significantly affected by temperature, growth medium and their interaction. Optimum temperatures were between 24 and 30°C, but no growth was found at 36°C. Germination rate was significantly influenced by time, medium, temperature and their interactions. The optimum temperature range for germination was between 28 and 30°C. Formulated conidia were capable of germinating at 36°C. However, studies on germ-tube extension conducted at 36°C showed a delay in development for 28-49 h and no further germ-tube extension was found after exposure for 80-95 h. Slopes of survival curves were significantly influenced by the type of conidia tested. In general, conidia did not survive exposure to 36°C for 168 h. These experiments indicate the temperature conditions where the strain is likely to be active and provide supporting data for full environmental and health risk assessments of biocontrol fungi.