Direct comparison of assessment methods using benthic macroinvertebrates: a contribution to the EU Water Framework Directive intercalibration exercise

The aim of the intercalibration exercise presently performed by the EU is to identify and resolve significant inconsistencies between the ecological quality classifications of EU Member States and the normative definitions of the EU Water Framework Directive. Based on benthic macroinvertebrate data of two European stream types (small siliceous mountain streams and medium-sized lowland streams in Central and Western Europe) we correlated the indices of 10 river quality assessment methods (ASPT, BMWP, DSFI, German Multimetric Index, Saprobic Indices) applied in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Slovak Republic, Sweden and United Kingdom. National class boundaries were compared via regression analysis. Assessment methods of the same type (Saprobic Indices, BMWP/ASPT scores) showed best correlation results (R²>0.7). The good quality status boundaries of the national methods deviated up to 25%; thus indicating the necessity to harmonize the national classification schemes. Prerequisites of the presented intercalibration approach are (1) a sufficiently large and consistent dataset representative of the respective common intercalibration types and (2) agreement on common type specific reference conditions.     

益母草（Leonurus artemisia）灭螺效果研究

本实验研充分别采用益母草的根、茎、叶的0．10、0．25、0．50、2．00、1．00g／L和水苏碱的0．20、0．40、0．60、0．80、1．00g/L 5个不同浓度梯度的处理液处理钉螺,设清水和0．001g／L浓度的氯硝柳胺溶液为对照。结果表明：（1）益母草各部分的水浸液均有很好的灭螺效果。用不同浓度的处理液浸杀钉螺,在不同时间的处理下,钉螺死亡率存在差异,其钉螺死亡率是随处理浓度的增加和时间的延长呈上升趋势,0．5g／L以上的益母草根、茎、叶、化水浸液和浓度达0．60g／L以上的水苏碱处理液均可达到100％的明显毒杀钉螺致死效果,与通常使用浓度0．0001g／L氯硝柳胺溶液的灭螺效果相当,不过益母苹根、茎、叶水浸液的毒效较氯硝柳胺略慢,用0．0001g／L氯硝柳胺溶液处理钉螺2—3d可达100％的死亡率,而用0．5g／L以上的益母草根、茎、叶水浸液水溶液处理需要3—5d才能达到同样的效果;灭螺效果顺序依次为：叶〉茎〉根。（2）钉螺趋避性研究表明水苏碱和益母草根、茎和叶的处理液对钉螺具有明显的驱逐作用,而盐酸益母草碱几乎没有作用。由此获得化感作用植物益母草灭螺的化学生态学证据。为研制新的具中国特色的植物成份灭螺剂打下了基础。并为合成仿生灭螺剂以及最终构建生态工程中强化感作用植物群落灭螺提供理论依据。     

Genomic overview of serine proteases

Serine proteases (SP) are peptidases with a uniquely activated serine residue in the substrate-binding pocket. They represent about 0.6% of all proteins in the human genome. SP are involved in many vital functions such as digestion, blood clotting, fibrinolysis, fertilization, and complement activation and are related to many diseases including cancer, arthritis, and emphysema. In this study, we performed a genomic analysis of human serine proteases utilizing different databases, primarily that of MEROPS. SP are distributed along all human chromosomes except 18 and Y with the highest density (23 genes) on chromosome 19. They are either randomly located within the genome or occur in clusters. We identified a number of SP clusters, the largest being the kallikrein cluster on chromosome 19q13.4 which is formed of 15 adjacent genes. Other clusters are located on chromosomes 19p13, 16p13, 14q11, 13q35, 11q22, and 7q35. Genes of each cluster tend to be of comparable sizes and to be transcribed in the same direction. The members of some clusters are sometimes functionally related, e.g., the involvement of many kallikreins in endocrine-related malignancies and the hematopoietic cluster on chromosome 14. It is hypothesized that members of some clusters are under common regulatory mechanisms and might be involved in cascade enzymatic pathways. Several functional domains are found in SP, which reflect their functional diversity. Membrane-type SP tend to cluster in 3 chromosomes and have some common structural domains. Several databases are available for screening, structural and functional analysis of serine proteases. With the near completion of the Human Genome Project, research will be more focused on the interactions between SP and their involvement in pathophysiological processes.     

The Oompa-Loompas of the genome factories

Automation Technologies for Genome Characterization

edited by Tony J. Beugelsdijk, John Wiley and Sons, 1997. UK£55.00 hbk (xvi +306 pages) ISBN 0 471 12806 6     

南水北调中线水源区弃耕地草本植被演替初步研究

以南水北调中线水源区不同年限的退耕弃荒地为研究对象,分析了其草本植被恢复阶段的群落学特征,用聚类分析和极点排序的方法对各群落类型进行了划分,探讨了其自然演替规律,并对弃耕地植被恢复的一般机理进行了初步探讨。结果表明,草本植被恢复演替过程可明显分为以下几个阶段：荠菜(Capsella bursa—pastoris) 铁苋菜(Acalypha australis) 小白酒草(Conyza canadensis)群落(退耕1年);小白酒草(Conyza canadensis) 灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum)群落(退耕2年);艾蒿(Artemisia argyi) 小白酒草(Conyza canadensis) 猪毛蒿(Artemisia scoparia)群落(退耕3～6年);白茅(Imperata cylindrica) 牛尾蒿(Arternisia subdigitata) 野艾蒿(Artemisia lavandulaefolia) 狗尾草(Setaria viridis)群落(退耕7～12年^ )。退耕3年时群落已经趋于稳定,草本植被基本上得到恢复。     

The impact of uncertainty on phytoremediation project costs

Pollution of the environment by metals and organic contaminants is an intractable global problem, with cleanup costs running into billions of dollars using current engineering technologies. The availability of alternative, cheap and effective technologies would significantly improve the prospects of cleaning-up metal contaminated sites. Phytoremediation has been proposed as an economical and 'green' method of exploiting plants to extract or degrade the contaminants in the soil. To date, the majority of phytoremediation efforts have been directed at leaping the biological biochemical and agronomic hurdles to deliver a working technology, with scant attention to the economic outlook other than simple estimates of the cost advantages ofphytoremediation over other techniques. In this paper we use a deterministic actauarial model to show that uncertainty in project success (the possibility that full clean up may not be realized) may significantly increase the perceived costs of remediation works for decision-makers.     

功能基因组学的研究内容与方法

基因组学的研究已从结构基因组学转向功能基因组学.综述了功能基因组学研究的内容和方法,主要包括应用微点阵、基因表达系列分析(SAGE)、蛋白质组、生物信息学等方法来研究基因组表达概况、基因组多样性、模式生物体等.     

The crisis in shifting cultivation practices and the promise of agroforestry: a review of the Panamanian experience

Deforestation is proceeding at alarming rates in the Central American Republic of Panama. This is leading to high losses of biodiversity, local wood shortages, increased erosion, and the sedimentation of water bodies. One of the principal causes of deforestation is the expansion of the agricultural frontier through extensive shifting cultivation systems. These land use systems are becoming increasingly unsustainable as populations increase and the amount of agricultural land available declines, and are often associated with low crop productivity, and reduced soil fertility. Agroforestry, or the association of trees with crops and livestock, has the potential of providing both socio-economic and ecological advantages to smallholders. While the number of agroforestry projects has increased dramatically over the past two decades in Panama, there is little information on the impacts these projects have had. This review provides a brief history of agroforestry in Panama, and outlines the current projects underway. In addition, the main factors impeding the increased adoption of agroforestry are examined, and recommendations are provided.     

Modelling of water and sediment quality in the Scheldt estuary

In 1987 the Tidal Waters Division (Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, The Netherlands) initiated the SAWES project (Systems Analysis WEstern Scheldt). In the framework of this project, a water quality model for the Scheldt estuary was made. The model aims to establish the relation between pollution inputs and the concentration of pollutants in the abiotic compartments and to establish the fate of wasted substances. The model includes oxygen, nitrogen and trace metals. Due to the low oxygen content of the upper Scheldt estuary, a new model approach for trace metals had to be developed, taking into account precipitated metal sulphides. The calibration, verification and sensitivity analysis of the model provided a good understanding of the chemistry of the estuary. Afterwards the model was used to support policy making by computing how the water and sediment quality in the estuary respond to reduced inputs of waste.