Powdered edible locust enhances nitrogen excretion and presents a low-energy value in growing rats

Edible insects are increasingly recommended as novel sustainable protein sources, but the nutritional properties of edible insects have not been well studied. We investigated whether locust powder can be used as a nutritionally functional food resource with a low energy value using a rat model. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (4-week-old) were fed a basal diet (12 g daily) to which a fixed amount of locust powder (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g) was added for 20 days (L0, L0.5, L1.0, and L2.0 groups, respectively). In the sucrose standard group, rats received 12 g of the basal diet daily and 2.0 g of sucrose daily for 20 days (S2.0 group). Body-weight gain and the nutritional composition of the carcasses and feces were determined to estimate the available energy value of locust powder. The L0.5 group had the lowest carcass fat content and energy accumulation, but these values were increased by locust powder in a dose-dependent manner. The net energy value of locust powder was estimated to be 2.78 kcal/g, which was expected to be lower than the calculated theoretical value (4.25 kcal/g) and that of sucrose (3.94 kcal/g). Fecal nitrogen excretion was increased by dietary locust powder in a dose-dependent manner (correlation coefficient, R = 0.98), and the carcass nitrogen percentage was not changed, regardless of the dietary content of the locust powder, indicating an increased excretion of proteins or other non-protein nitrogen compounds derived from the locust powder. These findings suggest that locust powder can be used as a novel food material with a low energy value for humans.     

Quantitative and qualitative assessment on the suitability of seed oil from water plant (Trichilia emetica) for soap making

Despite widespread and its local available as a naturalized hedge and shade plant, the potential of Trichilia emetica was not utilized in soap making by the majority of local community in various parts of Dodoma, Tanzania. This study aimed to assess the quantity (yields) and quality (Acid Values (AVs), %Free Fatty Acids (%FFAs) and Saponification Values (SVs) of seed oil from water plant (T. emetica), suitable for soap making application. Solvent extraction method was used during oil extraction, where by 50gm of preheated and powdered seed materials were immersed in 250 ml of n-hexane in 1:5 (w/v) to dissolve the oil contained in the seed cake. The oil was collected by vaporizing solvent out through Rotary evaporation at 60 °C. Also standard titration methods were used to obtain SVs, AVs and %FFAs of the extracted oil. Results showed that T. emetica seeds contained higher quantity of oil (48.4%−50.2%) than many reported commercial plant seed oils. Also, the study found higher AV (7.4 mgKOH/g−7.8 mgKOH/g), %FFA (3.7% to 3.9%) and SVs (189.5 mgKOH/g − 191.4 mgKOH/g) than the maximum acceptable limits of 0.50 mg KOH/g, 0.020% and 175 mgKOH/g − 187 mgKOH/g prescribed by ASTM standards (2002). The obtained results showed that, T. emetica seeds yielded high oil quantity with low qualities due to higher levels of acidity. But high SVs guarantees the possibility of using T. emetica seed oil in soap making. However, the oil requires purification in order to bring levels of acidity to acceptable standards and guarantee its normal use in soap making.     

Preferences for masculinity in male bodies change across the menstrual cycle

In human females cyclic shifts in preference have been documented for odour and physical and behavioral male traits. Women prefer the smell of dominant males, more masculine male faces and men behaving more dominantly when at peak fertility than at other times in their menstrual cycle. Here we examine variation in preferences for body sexual dimorphism. Across two studies, both between- and within-participant, we show that women prefer greater masculinity in male bodies at times when their fertility is likely highest, in the follicular phase of their cycle. Shifts were seen when rating for a short-term but not when rating for a long-term relationship. In line with studies showing similar effects for facial sexual dimorphism, we also show that women prefer greater masculinity when they think themselves attractive than when they think themselves less attractive. These results indicate that women's preferences for sexual dimorphism in male bodies follow a similar pattern as found for sexual dimorphism and dominance in other domains and such differences in preference may serve a similar function. Cyclic preferences could influence women to select partners when most likely to become pregnant that possess traits that may be most likely to maximize their offspring's quality via attraction to masculinity or serve to help acquire investment via attraction to femininity.     

不同类型农田土壤对可溶性有机氮、碳的吸附特性

研究了陕西关中地区红油土和淋溶褐土耕层土壤对分离的有机肥提取液中可溶性有机氮、碳(SON和SOC)的吸附特性.结果表明:原始物质吸附等温线方程可以反映土壤对可溶性有机氮、碳的吸附特性,土壤吸附SON、SOC的数量与它们各自加入的量呈极显著线性关系.从原始物质吸附等温线方程的分配系数m看,淋溶褐土对SON、SOC的吸附能力强于红油土.红油土对SON、SOC的平均吸附率分别为24.3%和18.8%,淋溶褐土则分别为38.3%和18.6%;两种类型土壤对SON和SOC的吸附能力较低,说明它们在土壤中具有较强的移动性;土壤对SOC的吸附能力弱于SON,说明SOC更易于从土壤中流失.     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林土壤呼吸季节和昼夜变化特征及影响因子比较

 由于受到多种生物和非生物因素的影响,土壤呼吸在不同时间尺度上的动态变化可能不一致。对不同时间尺度的土壤呼吸动态变化的研究有助 于深入了解土壤呼吸变化的机理,也有利于精确推算土壤碳的排放。采用红外CO₂分析法测定哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林季节间(2004年4月～ 2005年3月)和昼夜间 (2004年7、9和11月及2005年1、3和5月共6次)的土壤呼吸。哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林中土壤呼吸的季节变化显著,其中 湿季(5～10月)的土壤呼吸高于干季(11月～翌年4月),全年土壤呼吸的平均值为0.442 g CO₂&;#8226;m^－2&;#8226;h^－1。6 次测定的土壤呼吸日变化模式并不 相同,7和9月、翌年1和3月夜间土壤呼吸大于昼间土壤呼吸,11月和翌年5月则相反;5、7和9月昼夜间的土壤呼吸最大值与最小值的差异比11 月、翌年1和3月的测定结果大。季节间土壤呼吸与土壤温度(p=0.000)和土壤含水量(p=0. 007) 均有显著的指数相关,土壤温度可以解释土壤 呼吸变化的56.1％,土壤含水量可以解释土壤呼吸变化的11.1％。不同季节测定的土壤呼吸日变化与土壤温度、气温和土壤含水量则没有显著 的指数相关。由土壤呼吸与土壤温度拟合的指数方程计算Q₁₀值,在温度为 5.9～16.6 ℃内,全年土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为4.53,在温度为5.9～ 11.0 ℃内,干季土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为7.17,在温度为10.3～16.6 ℃内,湿季土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为2.34。在不同时间尺度上,生物和非生物因素 对哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林的土壤呼吸表现出不同的影响。土壤呼吸的季节变化主要受非生物因子温度和水分变化的调控,而土壤呼吸的昼 夜变化则可能主要受植物的生理活动周期性等生物因素的影响。通过温度的指数函数关系,用土壤呼吸的瞬时值来推算土壤呼吸的日通量和年 通量时,需要考虑温度和水分外的其它生物因子的影响。     

武汉市石榴红农场休闲景观的游憩价值和存在价值估算

都市休闲农业将传统农业与旅游业结合,利用农田景观、自然生态及环境资源,融合农业生产、农村文化及农家生活等人文景观,为人们提供休闲、娱乐和游憩等多重功能.价值估算在对武汉市石榴红农场及182位样本游客调查的基础上,应用旅游成本法和条件价值评估法估算休闲农地景观的游憩价值和存在价值.研究结果表明:(1)从传统的种植单位转型为以休闲度假、农事体验、农业观光为主的农业园区,石榴红休闲农场的经营效益明显,单位用地效益较传统蔬菜种植收益 (22990.26元/(hm2·a)) 净增1.6倍,但其带给消费者的更多的是目前无法通过市场配置的非市场价值.(2)利用TCM评价出石榴红农场2006年的总游憩价值在5057.99×104元,人均消费者剩余(consumer surplus, CS)2809.99元,约为游客平均游玩费用的36.71倍;农地景观单位游憩价值334905元/(hm2·a),是休闲农业经济产值(60000元/ (hm2·a))的5.58倍,游憩价值是农地景观价值构成中的重要组成.(3)从游客的支付意愿(willingness to pay, WTP)出发,应用CVM估算出石榴红休闲农地景观保存价值达117.92×104元/a,土地年均存在价值7808元/hm2.(4)农地景观的游憩价值及存在价值等非市场效益显著,然而在现行资源价值核算体系中却往往因缺失交易机制而被遗漏,意味着在土地分配决策与消费实践中,如果只单纯考虑经济产值,土地用途转换过程中将造成大量的社会福利损失.     

Intraspecific genome size variation and morphological differentiation of Ranunculus parnassifolius (Ranunculaceae), an Alpine–Pyrenean–Cantabrian polyploid group

The aim of this study was to assess genome size variation and multivariate morphometric analyses to ascertain cytotype distribution patterns and the morphological differentiation within the Ranunculus parnassifolius group in the Pyrenees and the Alps. Although divergences in nuclear DNA content among different species within a genus are widely acknowledged, intraspecific variation is still a somewhat controversial issue. Holoploid and monoploid genome sizes (C‐ and Cx‐values) were determined using propidium iodide flow cytometry in 125 plants of R. parnassifolius s.l. distributed across four European countries. Three different DNA ploidy levels were revealed in the study area: diploid (2n ～ 2x, 57.14%), triploid (2n ～ 3x, 1.19%), and tetraploid (2n ～ 4x, 41.67%). The mean population 2C‐values ranged from 8.15 pg in diploids to 14.80 pg in tetraploids, representing a ratio of 1 : 1.8. Marked intraspecific/interpopulation differences in nuclear DNA content were found. Diploid populations prevail in the Pyrenees, although tetraploid cytotypes were reported throughout the distribution area. In general, mixed‐cytotype populations were not found. The Spearman correlation coefficient did not reveal significant correlations between genome size and altitude, longitude, or latitude. Morphometric analyses and cluster analyses based on genome size variation revealed the presence of three major groups, which exhibited a particular biogeographical pattern. A new cytotype, DNA triploid, was found for the first time. Tetraploid populations showed constant nuclear DNA levels, whereas diploid populations from the Pyrenees, in which introgressive hybridization is suggested as a presumable trigger for genome size variation, did not. Scenarios for the evolution of geographical parthenogenesis in R. parnassifolius s.l. are discussed. Finally, the different levels of effectiveness between plant and animal reference standards are analysed. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101 , 251–271.     

内蒙古地区羊草草原植被对温度变化的动态响应

 1981～1994年连续14年内蒙古羊草草原温度随时间变化结果显示,该区域温度变化具有不对称性,冬季最低均温升高明显,而最高温及平均温度无明显增加趋势。羊草草原气候的变化主要表现在冬季最低温的增加,而不是平均温度的增加。羊草群落的结构和功能对冬季最低均温变化的响应研究表明,随着冬季最低均温的升高,阿尔泰狗哇花(Heteropappus altaicus)和冰草(Agropyron michnoi)的重要值及地上初级生产力将明显增加,而寸草苔(Cares duriuscula)则呈下降趋势,作为群落主要优势种的羊草(Leymus chinensis)和大针茅(Stipa grandis)及其它优势植物对冬季最低均温变化反应不明显。同时,群落的生物多样性指数(Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数)、物种饱和度及地上初级生产力对冬季最低均温也均无显著相关,14年间冬季最低均温的变化并没有对群落的结构和功能产生明显影响。然而,因寸草苔和冰草等少数优势植物对冬季最低均温变化反应的敏感,温度变化的幅度增加或时间延续很可能造成少数优势种在群落中地位的改变,进而可能导致羊草群落结构和功能的变化。这表明在进行气候变化的模拟和模型研究时,不能仅简单地考虑平均温度增加的情况,而应确定主导影响因子,从而了解草原生态系统对全球变化的响应,选取适宜的模型参数。     

基于GIS的渭河下游河流沿线区域生态风险评价

以渭河下游河流沿线区域为研究区,基于风险度量的基本原理和区域生态风险评价的流程框图,构建了综合生态风险值的计算模型,即综合生态风险值是综合风险概率、综合生态损失度和综合社会经济易损度的叠加.在研究区历史资料考证和2002年ETM+遥感影像景观分类的基础上,通过选取干旱、洪水、污染和水土流失,利用地理信息系统和现代地理学中的大量数学方法,按照评价步骤和计算模型,将研究区4种生态风险源综合评价结果划分为低风险区,较低风险区,中等风险区,较高风险区和高风险区5个级别.研究结果为环境管理和生态风险决策提供数量化的理论依据和数据支持.     

Spatial distribution of benthic algae in the Gangqu River,Shangrila, China

This study consisted of sampling benthic algae at 32 sites in the Gangqu River, an important upstream tributary of the Yangtze River. Our aims were to characterize the benthic algae communities and relationships with environmental variables. Among the 162 taxa observed, Achnanthes linearis and Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica were the dominant species (17.10% and 14.30% of the total relative abundance, respectively). Major gradients and principal patterns of variation within the environmental variables were detected by principal component analysis (PCA). Then non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) divided all the sites into three groups, which were validated by multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that three environmental variables (TN, TDS, and TP) significantly affected the distribution of benthic algae. Weighted averaging regression and cross-calibration produced strong models for predicting TN and TDS concentration, which enabled selection of algae taxa as potentially sensitive indicators of certain TN and TDS levels: for TN, Achnanthes lanceolata, Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica, and Cymbella ventricosa var. semicircularis; for TDS, Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella alpina var. minuta, and Fragilaria virescens. The present study represents an early step in establishing baseline conditions. Further monitoring is suggested to gain a better understanding of this region.