Impact of environmental and innate factors on the food habit of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky) (Percichthyidae)

Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to study the food habit of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky) from first feeding through adult stage. Only fish larvae were consumed by Chinese perch larvae (2-21 days from hatching), and the presence of zooplankton did not have any significant effect on their survival rate. The ability of Chinese perch to feed on zooplankton is clearly limited by some innate factor. Instead of gill rakers, Chinese perch larvae have well-developed sharp teeth at the first feeding stage, and are well adapted to the piscivorous feeding habit unique to the larvae of Chinese perch, e.g. they bite and ingest the tails of other fish larvae. At the first feeding stage (2 days from hatching), daily rations were both very low, either in light or complete darkness. Although early-staged Chinese perch larvae (7-17 days from hatching) could feed in complete darkness, their daily rations were always significantly higher in light than in complete darkness. Late-staged Chinese perch larvae (21 days from hatching) were able to feed in complete darkness as well as in light, similar to the case of Chinese perch yearlings. Chinese perch yearlings (total length, 14-16 cm) consumed prey fish only and refused shrimp when visual cues were available (in light), but they consumed both prey when visual cues were not available (in complete darkness), suggesting that prey consumption by Chinese perch yearlings is affected by their sensory modality in predation. Both prey were found in the stomachs of similar-sized Chinese perch (total length, 14-32 cm) from their natural habitat, suggesting that shrimp are consumed by Chinese perch at night. Prey selection of Chinese perch with a length >38 cm, which consumed only fish in the field, appears to be based upon prey size instead of prey type. These results suggest that although environmental factors (e.g. light intensity) affect prey detection by Chinese perch, this fish is anatomically and behaviourally predisposed to prey on live fish from first feeding. This makes it a difficult fish to cultivate using conventional feeds.

Influence of environmental variables on macroinvertebrates in a macrophyte-dominated Chinese lake, with emphasis on the relationships between macrophyte heterogeneity and macroinvertebrate patterns

The benthic community structure in Baoan Lake was examined in relation to lake water physicochemical characteristics and biological parameters. Seventy macroinvertebrate taxa were identified, and mollusks constituted the dominant group and accounted for more than 80% of the total abundance. Assemblages were composed mainly of scrapers (81.5%) and collector-gatherers (roughly 10%). Three plant variables (richness, total cover, and total biomass) were strongly correlated with the faunal gradient (p<0.05). Other predicator variables were Cl-, SiO2, and chemical oxygen demand. Because of the importance of macrophytes in structuring benthic assemblage in this lentic system, the spatial heterogeneity of macrophytes also influenced the pattern of macroinvertebrates. Seven lake regions were uniquely characterized according to primary macrophyte composition and biomass. There were significant differences for macroinvertebrate taxa richness, abundance, and biodiversity among the seven macrophyte regions.

The algae-lytic ability of bacterium DC10 and the influence of environmental factors on the ability

A lysing-bacterium DC10, isolated from Dianchi Lake of Yunnan Province, was characterized to be Pseudomonas sp. It was able to lyse some algae well, such as Microcystis viridis, Selenastrum capricomutum, and so on. In this study, it was shown that the bacterium lysed the algae by releasing a substance; the best lytic effects were achieved at low temperatures and in the dark. Different concentrations of CaCl2 and NaNO3 influenced the lytic effects; the ability to lyse algae decreased in the following order: pH 4 > pH 9 > pH 7 > pH 5.5. It was significant to develop a special technology with this kind of bacterium for controlling the bloom-forming planktonic microalgae.

Elimination of environmental noise in interferometric wavelength shift demodulation for dynamic fiber Bragg grating sensor array

We present a novel reference compensation method for eliminating environmental noise in interferometric wavelength shift demodulation for dynamic fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. By employing a shielded wavelength-division-multiplexed reference FBG in the system the environmental noise is mea, sured from the reference channel, and then subtracted from the demodulation result of each sensor channel. An approximate 40 dB reduction of the environmental noise has been experimentally achieved over a frequency range from 20 Hz to 2 kHz. This method is also suitable for the elimination of broadband environmental noise. The corresponding FBG sensor array system proposed in this paper has shown a wave-length resolution of 7 x 10(-4) pm/root Hz. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phases of environmental evolution indicated by primary chemical elements and paleontological records in the Upper Pleistocene-Holocene Series for the Salawusu River Valley；China

IEECAS SKLLQG

UV-photooxidation as pretreatment step in inorganic analysis of environmental samples

Many laboratories deal with the determination of heavy metals, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. The first step in chemical analysis is a proper preparation of the investigated samples. The presence of organic substances can cause problems in many analytical methods. This paper describes the application of UV irradiation as a method of destruction of organic matter in the investigated samples.

The Impact of Environmental Non-Tariff Measures on China's Agricultural Exports

This article assesses the impact of environmental non-tariff measures on China's agricultural exports. It uses two measures to show which countries make most intensive use of environmental non-tariff measures and which agricultural products exported by China are the most affected. Environmental non-tariff measures were most prevalence in Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Mexico, Japan, Russian, USA, Germany, and Netherland. Labor-intensive agricultural products, such as fish, vegetables, and fruit were most seriously affected.

Electrochemical characteristics of mediated laccase-catalysis and electrochemical detection of environmental pollutants

Laccase has been immobilized on the carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode surface by adsorption. As-prepared laccase retains good electrocatalytic activity to oxygen reduction by using 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) as the mediator. It can be used as a biosensor for the determination of catechol with broad linear range.

The meaning of environmental control systems (ECS) for people with spinal cord injury: An occupational therapist explores an intervention

Environmental Control Systems (ECS), enable people with high cervical Spinal Cord Injury (high SCI) to control and access everyday electronic devices. In Ireland, however, access for those who might benefit from ECS is limited. This study used a qualitative approach to explore the insider experience of an ECS starter-pack developed by the author, an occupational therapist. The primary research questions: what is it really like to live with ECS, and what does it mean to live with ECS, were explored using a phenomenological methodology conducted in three phases. In Phase 1 fifteen people with high SCI met twice in four focus groups to discuss experiences and expectations of ECS. Thematic analysis (Krueger & Casey, 2000), influenced by the psychological phenomenological approach (Creswell, 1998), yielded three categories of rich, practical, phenomenological findings: ECS Usage and utility; ECS Expectations and The meaning of living with ECS. Phase 1 findings informed Phase 2 which consisted of the development of a generic electronic assistive technology pack (GrEAT) that included commercially available constituents as well as short instructional videos and an information booklet. This second phase culminated in a one-person, three-week pilot trial. Phase 3 involved a six person, 8-week trial of the GrEAT, followed by individual in-depth interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis IPA (Smith, Larkin & Flowers, 2009), aided by computer software ATLAS.ti and iMindmap, guided data analysis and identification of themes. Getting used to ECS, experienced as both a hassle and engaging, resulted in participants being able to Take back a little of what you have lost, which involved both feeling enabled and reclaiming a little doing. The findings of this study provide substantial insights into what it is like to live with ECS and the meanings attributed to that experience. Several practical, real world implications are discussed.

Cr-39 A New Alpha-Particle Sensitive Polymeric Detector Applied To Investigations Of Environmental-Radioactivity

Some advantages of a new dielectric detector, CR-39, are described in relation to the analysis of concentrations and distributions of α-particle emitters from a variety of materials. The detector provides an economic and versatile approach to many problems and complements conventional methods of analysis.