Comparison of isogenic lines provides evidence that phenotypic plasticity is under genetic control in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Comparison of nine isogenic lines of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss kept in the same environment showed significant genetic determinism of phenotypic plasticity assessed through body mass measurements. Ranking of lines differed between two tested environments.     

Uses and Conservation of Plant Species in a National Park—A Case Study of Ben En, Vietnam

Uses and Conservation of Plant Species in a National Park—A Case Study of Ben En, Vietnam. This paper surveys the use of wild and cultivated plants by local people in Ben En National Park, Vietnam, and analyzes its impact on the conservation status of some of the utilized species. A total of 208 species used for a range of nonmedicinal purposes are listed. See Hoang et al. (2008a) for 230 medicinal plants used in the park. Most species are used for food. The use of plants contributes very significantly to the livelihood of local people in the park, but the current use patterns are not sustainable and would lead to local extinction of rare and endangered species if no additional conservation measures are introduced. Men collect nonmedicinal plants more often than women. A total of 38 useful plant species are commercialized, and contribute 12% of the average income of individual households. Bamboo shoots of Schizostachyum funghomii (Poaceae) are the most important for income generation. The monetary equivalent of noncommercialized useful plants probably far exceeds the value of the traded plant products. Plant use is independent of the ethnicity of the different populations living in the park. Larger households make use of a greater variety of useful plant species than small families. Abundant species in the forest have a higher use index (UI) than less common species. Out of the 208 useful species, as many as 27 were found to be endangered locally, many more than the 11 or 8 endangered species included in national or global red lists. Currently, useful plants, especially important timber trees, are more abundant in the less disturbed parts of the park, far away from the villages, indicating the pressures of illegal logging and harvesting near villages on the ecosystems.     

Socio-economic aspects of water management along the coast of Kenya

The coast of Kenya has a narrow coastal plain and stretches from Tanzania in the south to Somalia in the north. A number of important rivers drain through it. Population distribution is quite uneven along this coastal zone having developed in clusters linked to artisanal fishing, trade and port activities. The coast's northern districts of Lamu and Tana River are sparsely populated due to a harsh climate and lack of fresh water. The majority of the population is concentrated in Malindi (formerly part of the big Kilifi district), Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta districts.The paper discusses the challenges arising from fresh water shortage along the coast of Kenya and presents some proposed policy options that may need to be impemented to minimize the scarcity problems. The Kenyan coast receives fresh water from the rivers Tana, Sabaki, Ramisi and Umba. Other important sources of fresh water are Marere springs, Mzima springs, Tiwi boreholes and the lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The coast experiences the problem of rapid population growth which leads to land use changes. Since fresh water is scarce, water-borne diseases are rampant and water has become a marketed good. Because of the critical fresh water shortage in the Kenyan coast, water allocation decisions need to be given considerable attention.     

Thermophilic bioremediation of whey: effect of physico-chemical parameters on the efficiency of the process

A two-stage process for the bioremediation of blue Stilton whey has been developed. It employs both naturally occurring thermotolerant organisms found in whey (lactic acid bacteria and yeast) and a thermophilic isolate (Bacillus sp.). Thermophilic digestion occurred only at neutral pH. Multiple substrates were consumed simultaneously under mesophilic but not thermophilic conditions.     

Residual effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline on offspring born to Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia exposed for multiple generations

One of the acknowledged limitations ofconventional toxicity tests is their inabilityto evaluate the impact of toxicants onsubsequent generations. Given their relativelyshort lifespan, cladocerans in the field may beexposed to toxicants for several generations.However, it is unclear what effect such anexposure regime could have on the cladoceranfitness after removal of the toxicant. Thispaper aimed to determine the offspring fitnessof juveniles produced by adult Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia exposed toresidual levels of 3,4-dichloroaniline overfour generations. Mass cultures of Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia were maintainedfor several generations in variousconcentrations of 3,4-dichoroaniline (0, 2.5,5, 10, 15 and 20 µg/L). The mass cultureswere re-established every generation using4th brood neonates <24 h old. Eachgeneration, 4th brood neonates <24 h oldwere also transferred individually intotoxicant-free water and examined until theproduction of their 3rd brood. F1offspring of mothers exposed to 15 and20 µg/L 3,4-dichloroaniline showedsignificantly (p < 0.05) reducedreproduction compared to the controls. Nosignificant (p > 0.05) changes inreproduction due to 3,4-dichloroaniline wereobserved for the F2 and F3 offspring. However,F4 offspring of mothers exposed to all3,4-dichloroaniline concentrations showedsignificantly (p < 0.05) increasedreproduction compared to the controls. Possibleexplanations for the varying influence ofmaternal 3,4-dichloroaniline exposure on thereproductive output of the offspring arediscussed.     

Effects of ad libitum and restricted feeding on early production performance and body composition of Yorkshire pigs selected for reduced residual feed intake

Residual feed intake (RFI), defined as the difference between observed and expected feed intake based on growth and backfat, has been used to investigate genetic variation in feed efficiency in cattle, poultry and pigs. However, little is known about the biological basis of differences in RFI in pigs. To this end, the objective of this study was to evaluate the fifth generation of a line of pigs selected for reduced RFI against a randomly selected Control line for performance, carcass and chemical carcass composition and overall efficiency. Here, emphasis was on the early grower phase. A total of 100 barrows, 50 from each line, were paired by age and weight (22.6 ± 3.9 kg) and randomly assigned to one of four feeding treatments in 11 replicates: ad libitum (Ad), 75% of Ad (Ad75), 55% of Ad (Ad55) and weight stasis (WS), which involved weekly adjustments in intake to keep body weight (BW) constant for each pig. Pigs were individually penned (group housing was used for selection) and were on treatment for 6 weeks. Initial BW did not significantly differ between the lines (P > 0.17). Under Ad feeding, the low RFI pigs consumed 8% less feed compared with Control line pigs (P < 0.06), had less carcass fat (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference in growth rate (P > 0.85). Under restricted feeding, low RFI pigs under the Ad75 treatment had a greater rate of gain while consuming the same amount of feed as Control pigs. Despite the greater gain, no significant line differences in carcass composition or carcass traits were observed. For the WS treatment, low RFI pigs had similar BW (P > 0.37) with no significant difference in feed consumption (P > 0.32). Overall, selection for reduced RFI has decreased feed intake, with limited differences in growth rate but reduced carcass fat, as seen under Ad feeding. Collectively, results indicate that the effects of selection for low RFI are evident during the early grower stage, which allows for greater savings to the producer.     

The effect of osteoporosis on residual ridge resorption and masticatory performance in denture wearers

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00610.x The effect of osteoporosis on residual ridge resorption and masticatory performance in denture wearers Aim: To compare masticatory performance, masticatory efficiency and residual ridge resorption (RRR) in osteoporotic and non‐osteoporotic edentulous subjects after rehabilitation with complete dentures. Method: Thirty subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled from the patients visiting the Department of Prosthodontics for complete denture fabrication. Two groups consisting of control subjects (group I; N = 15) and osteoporotic subjects (group II; N = 15) were formed. Complete dentures satisfying certain criteria were fabricated for both groups. Masticatory performance and efficiency were measured 6 months after denture insertion. Areal measurements were taken on lateral cephalograms before and 6 months after denture fabrication. The data were then computed to analyse differences between groups I and II using SPSS statistical software version 15.0. Results: Six months after denture fabrication, the masticatory performance and efficiency were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for group I, with a significant decrease in maxillary and mandibular sagittal area seen in both groups. The rate of bone loss was more in group II compared with group I. Conclusion: Greater masticatory function was demonstrated by the non‐osteoporotic group, and the rate of RRR was more in the osteoporotic group compared with the normal group. In this pilot study, osteoporosis leads to greater RRR, decreased masticatory performance and efficiency in edentulous subjects 6 months after denture insertion. Screening for osteoporosis is suggested as a routine procedure for all edentulous subjects undergoing rehabilitation. Recall check‐ups for osteoporotic patients should be more frequent, and these patients may require more frequent denture remakes.     

二苯醚类除草剂的微生物降解研究进展

二苯醚类除草剂是一类广谱、高效、高选择性的除草剂,广泛应用于大豆、花生等农田一年生和多年生阔叶杂草的防除。由于该类除草剂不易降解,多年连续使用会导致其在土壤环境中的大量积累。本文概述了二苯醚类除草剂的基本结构及其对生物的影响,总结了降解二苯醚类除草剂的微生物种类、降解途径和降解过程中关键酶及其基因,分析了影响微生物降解二苯醚类除草剂的因素,对二苯醚类除草剂微生物降解未来的研究方向进行了展望,为深入研究二苯醚类除草剂的生物降解提供参考。     

清代北京皇家园林植物景观与园林经营体系研究

园林的管理与经营是清代皇家园林存续的重要支撑。本研究结合清代宫廷文献,以记录内务府规章制度的《钦定总管内务府现行则例》为主要依据,探讨清代管理机构职责、收入来源与经营方式、支出与盈余管理,归纳出一个以种植生产为核心的管理经营框架。认为清代皇家园林在多次改革基础上,逐渐形成了管理范围清晰的部门划分。各部门除对园林进行日常维护外,主要承担各园以植物生产为核心的经营任务。通过对资源的精细利用以及种植—租赁相结合的土地管理模式,基本实现皇家园林“以园养园”的收支平衡体系。而这种经营方式造就了园林沿水源布局的大面积的作物景观背景以及园林中点缀的生产性植物景观。最终得出结论,认为清代皇家园林植物景观不仅具有观赏功能,更是支持园林存续的物质基础。     

添加厨余垃圾对剩余污泥厌氧消化产沼气过程的影响

为提高剩余污泥厌氧消化的沼气产量和甲烷含量,研究了厨余垃圾的不同添加量对剩余污泥厌氧消化性能的影响。结果表明,在35℃下,随着剩余污泥中厨余垃圾添加量的增加,厌氧消化系统中碳氮质量比（C／N）、胞外多聚物（EPS）等生理生化指标均有不同程度的改善。其中当剩余污泥与厨余垃圾质量比为2：1时,混合有机废弃物中沼气产量和甲烷含量均达到最大值,每克挥发性固体（VS）产生了156．56mL沼气,甲烷体积分数为67．52％,分别比剩余污泥单独厌氧消化时的产气量提高了5倍和1．5倍。