Cultivation of the brown alga Sargassum horneri: sexual reproduction and seedling production in tank culture under reduced solar irradiance in ambient temperature

As a large conspicuous intertidal brown alga, individuals of Sargassum horneri can reach a length of more than 7 m with a fresh weight of 3 kg along the coasts of the Eastern China Sea. The biomass of this alga as a vital component in coastal water ecology has been well documented. In recent years, a steady disappearance of the algal biomass along the once densely populated coastal areas of the Eastern China Sea has drawn attention in China. Efforts have been made to reconstruct the subtidal algal flora or even to grow the alga by use of long-lines. As part of the efforts to establish an efficient technique for producing seedlings of S. horneri, in this investigation a series of culture experiments were carried out in indoor raceway and rectangular tanks under reduced solar irradiance at ambient temperature in 2007-2008. The investigation demonstrated that: (1) sexual reproduction of S. horneri could be accelerated in elevated temperature and light climates, at least 3 months earlier than in the wild; (2) eggs of S. horneri had the potential to be fertilized up to 48 h, much longer than that of known related species; (3) suspension and fixed culture methods were both effective in growing the seedlings to the long-line cultivation stage; and (4) the life cycle of S. horneri in culture could be shortened to 4.5 months, thus establishing this alga as an appropriate model for investigating sexual reproduction in dieocious species of this genus.

Cultivation of the brown alga Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura: enhanced seedling production in tumbled culture

The reuse of holdfasts for regeneration of young seedlings or using wild juvenile plants as the seedling source has played the major role in commercial cultivation of the brown alga Hizikia fusiformis in East Asia over the past 20 years. The possibility of employing zygote-derived germlings for producing seedlings has been discussed in the literature, but has not yet become a reality. Three main obstacles have limited the use of zygotes as a main source of seedlings, (1) the dioecious nature of the algal life cycle which may lead to asynchronous male and female receptacle development and thus different timing of egg and spermatozoa expulsion, (2) the low attachment rate when using zygote-derived germlings with developed rhizoids from wild parental plants for seeding production, and (3) the problem of culturing young germlings in regions where water temperature is high in summer. In this investigation, shifting the timing of receptacle formation earlier than in nature was performed by tumbling the algae in a long-day tank (16-h light per day). Synchronization of egg and spermatozoa expulsion and thereafter fertilization were conducted in indoor tanks. Receptacle formation in constant long days could be shifted by 20 days earlier than in plants cultured on long lines in the open sea, or I month earlier than in plants growing on intertidal rocks. Synchronized expulsion of eggs and spermatozoon led to a high rate of fertilization. This was achieved by tumbling the male and female receptacle-bearing branchlets in the same tank at low density in high irradiance. In two independent trials, a total of 1,400,000 zygote-derived germlings were obtained from 620 g (fresh weight) female sporophytes. The germlings shed from the receptacles were at an identical developmental stage indicating high synchronization of expulsion of eggs and spermatozoon followed by fertilization. Approximately 63% ( +/-9.6%) of the germlings were shed from the receptacle between 16 and 24 It after fertilization and 20% ( +/-11.9%) remained on the receptacle for 3 days after fertilization. Germlings were seeded on string collectors before rhizoids started to elongate and the attachment efficiency was enhanced. Young seedlings reached 800 ( +/-50) mum in length in 25 days at 25 degreesC before they were transferred to open sea cultivation. These results provide the basis of a practical way of seedling production by use of zygote-derived germlings in the commercial cultivation of Hizikia fusiformis. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Photoperiodic long-day control of sporophyll and hair formation in the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida

Two photoperiodic responses, the development of sporophylls and hairs, have been quantified in sporophytes of the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida. In a final experiment, the algae were cultivated in outdoor, 2000-L seawater tanks in a greenhouse for up to 12 weeks, and daylength was regulated by automatic blinds mounted on top of the tanks. Vegetative young sporophytes were treated under short-day (SD; 8 h light per day) or long-day conditions (LD; 16 h light per day), at 12 h light per day or in a night-break regime (NB; 8 h light per day, 7.5 h dark, 1 h light, 7.5 h dark). The earliest sporophyll development was observed 6, 7 or 9 weeks under LD, NB or SD conditions, respectively. After 12 weeks the sporophylls were significantly longer and wider under LD or NB conditions than in the SD regime, and only half of the experimental algae had formed sporophylls under SD conditions, but all algae under LD or NB conditions. In a foregoing 7-week culture experiment performed in 300-L indoor tanks, enhanced sporophyll formation had also been observed under LD and not under SD conditions (NB omitted). In both experiments, blade elongation rates remained high until the end of the experiments in SD, but declined during sporophyll initiation in LD, NB or at 12 h light per day. Another difference caused by photoperiod was observed in regard to the development of surface hair spots which occurred in both experiments on the blades in LD, NB or at 12 h light per day with identical densities, but were completely lacking under SD conditions. It is concluded that U. pinnatifida is a facultatative long-day plant in regard to reproduction forming vigorously sporophylls in long days, and an obligate long-day plant in regard to hair formation.

Seeding nets with neutral spores of the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kutzing for use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

Nets in traditional Porphyra mariculture are seeded with conchospores derived from the conchocelis phase, and spend a nursery period in culture tanks or calm coastal waters until they reach several centimeters in length. Some species of Porphyra can regenerate the foliose phase directly through asexual reproduction, which suggests that the time, infrastructure, and costs associated with conchocelis culture might be avoided by seeding nets with asexual spores. Here, we present work from a short-term mariculture study using nets seeded with asexual spores (neutral spores) of a native Maine species of Porphyra. Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kutzing was selected for this proof of concept research because of its reproductive biology, abundance across seasons in Maine, and evidence of its promise as a mariculture crop. We studied the maturation, release, and germination of the neutral spores to develop an appropriate seeding protocol for nets, followed by development of a nursery raceway to provide an easily manipulated environment for the seeded nets. Neutral spores were produced throughout the year on the central Maine coast,however, there was a temporal variability in the number and survival of released neutral spores, depending upon thallus position in the intertidal zone. Small thalli were strictly vegetative, but most thalli reproduced by neutral spores- sexual reproduction was absent. Neutral spores germinated quickly at 10 and 15 'C, but germination was delayed at 5 degrees C. Unlike some algal zygotes and spores, neutral spores of R umbilicalis required light to germinate; however, irradiances of 25 and 100 mu mol photons M-2 S-1 were equally sufficient for germination. Rafts of seeded nets were deployed in Cobscook Bay, Maine, at two distances from salmon aquaculture pens and at a control site on a nearby, fallow aquaculture site (no salmon). There was no difference in nitrogen content of harvested thalli; however, both the density and the surface area of harvested thalli were different among the sites. The possible causes of these differences are discussed in the context of potential use of P umbilicalis in IMTA. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cultivation of the brown alga Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura: stress resistance of artificially raised young seedlings revealed by chlorophyll fluorescence measurement

Commercial farming of the intertidal brown alga Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura in China and South Korea in the sea depends on three sources of seedlings: holdfast-derived regenerated seedlings, young plants from wild population and zygote-derived seedlings. Like many successfully farmed seaweed species, the sustainable development of Hizikia farming will rely on a stable supply of artificial seedlings via sexual reproduction under controlled conditions. However, the high rate of detachment of seedlings after transfer to open sea is one of the main obstacles, and has limited large-scale application of zygote-derived seedlings. To seek the optimal condition for growing seedlings on substratum in land-based tanks for avoidance of detachment in this investigation, young seedlings were grown in both outdoor tanks exposed directly to sunlight and in indoor raceway tanks in reduced, filtered sunlight. Results showed that young seedlings, immediately after fertilization, could withstand a daily fluctuation of direct solar irradiance up to a level of 1800 mu mol photons m(-1)s(-1), and maintained a faster growth rate than seedlings grown in indoor tanks. Detailed experiments by use of chlorophyll fluorescence measurements further demonstrated that the overnight (12 h) recovery of optimal fluorescence quantum yield (F-v/F-m) of seedlings after 1 h treatment at 40 degrees C was 98%, and the 48 h recovery of F-v/F-m of seedlings after 1 h exposure to 1800 mu mol m(-2)s(-1) was 92%. Forty-one-day-old seedlings showed no significant decrease of optimal fluorescence quantum yield at salinity ranging from 30 to 5 ppt for a treatment up to 17 h. Six-hour desiccation treatment did not have any influence on the optimal fluorescence quantum yield. Exposure to 18 mmol L-1 sodium hypochlorite for 10 min did not damage the PSII efficiency, and thus could be used to remove epiphytic algae. The strong tolerance of young seedlings to high temperature, high irradiance, low salinity and desiccation found in this investigation supports the view that mass production of Hizikia seedlings should be performed in ambient light and temperature instead of in shaded greenhouse tanks.

Dynamic changes of total bacteria and Vibrio in an integrated seaweed-abalone culture system

Polyculture of seaweeds alongside fed animal aquaculture is an environmentally friendly means of avoiding eutrophication problem both in land-based and sea-based monoculture systems. Many aspects of such polyculture systems have been described, but little attention has been given to the impact of live seaweeds on the microbiological properties of the water that connects the algae and animals. In this investigation, the Pacific red alga Gracilaria textorii was cultured in a recirculated dual tank system (150 L) with the juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai. Dynamic changes of total bacteria (TB) and total Vibrio (TV) in the water of polyculture and monoculture systems were evaluated. Results revealed that (1) level of TB in the polyculture was constantly higher than in the monoculture over a 6.5-day period. While levels of TV in the polyculture was detected to be constantly lower than in the monoculture, (2) integration of G. textorii in the abalone culture changed the Vibrio compositions in the water as judged by the changes of bacteria colony types; (3) application of artificial diet led to dramatic increase of the levels in TB and TV in both systems at 12 h after application in the 24-h test and resulted in selective propagation of Vibrio in the water in the monoculture system; (4) polyculture of G. textorii with juvenile abalone in combination with feeding with live algal diet helped to maintain low levels of TV and the balance of the Vibrio composition; (5) living biomass of G. textorii was effective in preventing propagation of two purified Vibrio strains (V alginolaticus and V logei) in the water. These results provide a general basis of the dynamic changes of levels in TB and TV in a seaweed-abalone polyculture system with or without artificial diet in tanks. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Tank cultivation of the red alga Palmaria palmata: Year-round induction of tetrasporangia, tetraspore release in darkness and mass cultivation of vegetative thalli

Field-collected tetrasporophytes of Palmaria palmata were tumbled in 300-L outdoor tanks from January to August at ambient daylength or in a constant short-day (SD) regime (8 h light per day), both at 10 or 15 degrees C. Tetrasporangia were massively induced after 2.5 months under SD conditions at 10 degrees C and completely lacking at 15 degrees C, both under SD or ambient daylength conditions, with a few tetrasporangia present at 10 degrees C and ambient daylength. Elongation rates of tagged tetrasporophytic thalli peaked from March to April in all four conditions, when the biomass densities in the outdoor tanks were close to 2.5 kg fresh weight m(-2). Under all four conditions, juvenile proliferations started to appear in June from the margins of the old fronds, and attained approximately 1 cm in length by the end of July. Approximately 80% of the tetraspores were released during the first three dark phases in a light/dark regime, and the remaining 20% during the light phases. A minimum of 10 min darkness was observed to trigger spore release. White light inhibited tetraspore release, while a similar number of spores were released in continuous red light or in the light/dark regime, although with no significant differences of spore release during subjective days and nights. Sporelings were successfully derived from the released tetraspores for mass propagation of the male gametophyte in 2000-L outdoor tanks in a greenhouse. Mass production of male gametophytic sporelings of P. palmata was completed two times by SD induction of tetrasporangia at 10 degrees C, release of spores in darkness and culturing the sporelings until they were ready to be propagated vegetatively in greenhouse tanks. One experiment lasted from January to October 2001, with spore release in June, and the second from September to April 2003, with spore release in January. These results may support the development of sustainable, year-round Palmaria farming. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Observational evidence of the Yellow Sea warm current

The Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) is one of the principal currents in the Yellow Sea in winter. Former examinations on current activity in the Yellow Sea have not observed a stable YSWC because of the positioning of current meters. To further understand the YSWC, a research cruise in the southern Yellow Sea was carried out in the winter of 2006/2007. Five moorings with bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) were deployed on the western side of the central trough of the Yellow Sea. The existence and distributional features of the YSWC were studied by analyzing three ADCP moorings in the path of the YSWC in conjunction with conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) data over the observed area in the southern Yellow Sea. The results show the following. (1) The upper layer of the YSWC is strongly influenced by winter cold surge; its direction and speed often vary along a south-north axis when strong cold surges arrive from the north. (2) The YSWC near the bottom layer is a stable northwest flowing current with a speed of 4 to 10 cm/s. By combining the analyses of the CTD data, we speculate that the core of the YSWC may lie near the bottom. (3) On a monthly average timescale, the YSWC is stably oriented with northward flow from the sea surface to the sea floor.

非线性数值波浪水槽及其应用

本文分别使用基于边界元方法和高阶Boussinesq-type方程的非线性数值波浪水槽，研究了波浪破碎判据，波浪破碎能量损失以及一些特殊的波浪生成机制。基于边界元方法的数值波浪水槽使用线性元，记为DAS，其第一个改进模型修正了DAS中的积分解析公式，简称MDAS，其第二个改进模型在自由表面使用三阶元取代线性元，简称MDAS2。 鉴于Song和Banner（2002，2004）使用DAS模型提出了一个基于无量纲局部能量密度极大值平均增长率参数的破碎阈值dth，本文首先验证了dth对于MDAS和MDAS2的适用性；其次，本文考虑了海底坡度对dth的影响，结果表明dth对于中等水深下坡度小于1:100的缓坡仍然适用；再次，本文讨论了破碎阈值dth对于汇聚波的适用性，这些汇聚波具有常振幅谱，常波陡谱和PM谱，结果表明dth对这三种谱形的汇聚波都是适用的。 本文计算了常振幅谱情形时破碎能量损失对于最大能量增长率dmax的依赖性，结果表明，破碎能量损失随dmax几乎线性增长。同Banner和Pierson（2007）实验数据比对说明不同谱形的破碎能量损失随dmax的变化关系大致相同。相反，破碎能量损失随初始波陡(ak)0的变化曲线对于谱形有着显著的依赖性。此外，本文使用基于高阶Boussinesq-type方程的数值波浪水槽研究了近岸梯形潜坝上的破碎能量损失。结果指出，相对于潜坝的坡度和宽度，入射波的非线性参数和色散性参数以及潜坝的高度对于破碎能量损失具有更重要的影响。 MDAS还被用于模拟水槽中底部抬升、底部塌陷以及水中岩石坠落激发的表面波生成过程。对于底部抬升激发表面波这一过程，研究表明非线性效应对于表面波生成具有重要影响。对于底部塌陷和水中岩石坠落激发表面波过程，数值模拟结果与实验室水槽实验结果比较表明：MDAS能够有效地模拟这些生成过程。

Identification of factors affecting the growth and survival of the settling Japanese flounder larvae, Paralichthys olivaceus

A series of experiments were conducted to identify the factors that affected the growth and survival of the settling flounder larvae Paralichthys olivaceus. Settling larvae 24 days after hatching (DAH) were reared in 10-l experimental tanks up to 40 DAH, and two of the following factors were changed as controlled factors in each experiment: light regime (24L:0D or 12L:12D), prey density (1500, 3000, or 5000 Artemia l(-1)), shelter (sand or no sand) and stocking density (5, 10, or 15 fish l(-1)). Early settling larvae (24-35 DAH) experienced little mortality (less than 10% of the overall mortality) that was not significantly affected by above factors. In contrast, late settling larvae (36-40 DAH) suffered high cannibalistic mortality which was significantly influenced by each of the above factors. Larvae experienced significantly lower mortality at 10 fish l(-1) level than at other densities. Larvae at 15 fish l(-1) level had higher mortality than at 5 fish l(-1) when all other factors were identical. Larvae at 3000 and 5000 Artemia l(-1) treatments survived significantly better than at 1500 Artemia l(-1), but no significant differences in larval mortality were found between the two higher densities. Larvae suffered higher mortality at low prey density or at the absence of sand when they were exposed to longer photoperiod. Low stocking density significantly improved the growth of the settling larvae. The average daily instantaneous growth rate (G) at 5 and 15 fish l(-1) treatments were 0.050 and 0.034, with the coefficient of variation (CV) in final length at 16.4 and 23.5, respectively. Daily instantaneous growth rate increased significantly from 0.033 in the 1500 Artemia l(-1) to 0.041 and 0.045 in the 3000 and 5000 Artennia l(-1), respectively, but no significant difference in larval growth existed between the two higher prey densities. These findings suggested that the optimal prey density for growth and survival of the settling flounder larvae at a stocking density of 5 - 15 fish l(-1) was around 3000 Artemia l(-1) . Larvae that were exposed to 24L showed 20% increase in growth ( G = 0.046, CV = 18.7) than those exposed to 12L ( G = 0.037, CV = 20.5). Longer exposure to light significantly improved larval growth, provided sufficient food was available. Sand substrate did not show significant effects on larval growth, possibly because the larvae spent most of the time swimming or feeding in the water column during this stage. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Feeding and growth on bivalve biodeposits by the deposit feeder Stichopus japonicus Selenka (Echinodennata : Holothuroidea) co-cultured in lantern nets

Suspension aquaculture of filter-feeding bivalves has been developing rapidly in coastal waters in the world, especially in China. Previous studies have demonstrated that dense populations of filter-feeding bivalves in shallow water can produce a large amount of faeces and pseudofaeces (biodeposits) that may lead to negative impacts on the benthic environment. To determine whether the deposit feeder Stichopus (Apostichopus) japonicus Selenka can feed on bivalve biodeposits and whether the sea cucumber can be co-cultured with bivalves in suspended lantern nets, three experiments were conducted, two in tanks in the laboratory and one in the field. In a 3-month flow-through experiment, results showed that sea cucumbers grew well with specific growth rate (SGR) reaching 1.38% d(-1), when cultured in the bottom of tanks (10 m(3) water volume) where scallops were cultured in suspension in lantern nets. Moreover, results of another laboratory experiment demonstrated that sea cucumbers could survive well on bivalve biodeposits, with a feeding rate of 1.82 +/- 0.13 g dry biodeposits ind(-1) d(-1), absorption efficiency of organic matter in biodeposits of 17.2% +/- 5.5%, and average SGR of 1.60% d(-1). Our longer-term field experiments in two coastal bays (Sishili Bay and Jiaozhou Bay, northern China) showed that S. japonicus co-cultured with bivalves also grew well at growth rates (0.09-0.31 g wet weight ind(-1) d(-1)) depending on individual size. The results suggest that bivalve lantern nets can provide a good habitat for sea cucumbers; and the co-culture of bivalve molluscs with sea cucumbers may provide an additional valuable crop with no additional inputs. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

一种水面救助机器人

本文介绍一种能在恶劣海况下 ,向遇险船舶送递导引缆绳和向落水人员快速送递救生圈的水面救助机器人 .该机器人具有抗涌浪能力强、体积小、重量轻、速度快以及机动灵活的特点 ,还可广泛应用于其他领域

环渤海花岗岩体地下油库建设的工程地质力学研究

As a kind of strategic resource，petroleum play an very important role in current social stability, economic development and state safety. Since 1993 China has turned from a net oil exporter into a net oil importer, the figure of imported oil increased from then on. In 2004 China's total energy consumption exceeded Japan’s, and ranked in the second place, just inferior to America. Today China is the world’s third-largest importing nation, accounting for 6% of world imports and 8% of world consumption. Comparing with other strategic petroleum reserve schemes, underground oil storage possess many advantages, such as security, economy, less pollution, save land, suited for strategic reserve and so on, so it is the most ideal form for strategic petroleum reserve. In the background of China Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program started just now, this paper choose Circum-Bo sea region as a study area, and do some system study on the underground oil storage caverns constructed in inter-large granite rock masses in Circum-Bo sea region. On the foundation of a great amount of information come from both home and abroad, firstly this paper analysed the principle, economy, cavern shape, profile dimension, and gain some cognizances and logos, as follows: ①Hard rock mass such as granite is the major rock, in which underground oil storage are constructed; ②Unlined underground oil storage caverns had been wide spread used as a sort of oil storage form abroad, there already exist a suit of skilled experience and technologies to prevent oil product from leaking; ③Compared with surface tanks, underground oil storage cavern possess predominance in economy clearly. In general, it will be more economical when the storage capacity exceed 50000m3. The quality of rock mass is the most important factor for underground storage cost, however such as hydrogeology, storage capacity, the number of storage galleries, the length, storage product, mechanical equipments, geographic location also influent the cost. In designed depth of the underground storage, the rock mass of Jinzhou mainly belong to class Ⅱ, but parts with dykes, clayization alteration, and dense joints are Ⅲ, Ⅳ; ④Now, there are few underground oil storages span more than 25m in both abroad and home. The examples of some ancient underground works and modern underground excavation with wide span surely give us many precious elicitations to construct more great unlined storage caverns, when the rock mass quality is good, cavern shape and construction method also are proper, it is quite possible to construct underground oil storage cavern with span more than 30m . The main axis orientation of Jinzhou underground oil storage cavern is NW direction, the cavern's elevation locate between -53msl and -76msl. The storage's total volume is about 3×106m3, composed of 8 parallel galleries with 950m length, the pillars between them are 45m, and every two of galleries form one unit, which can deposit 75×104m3 for each unit. The product will be stored are Saudi light and Saudi medium crude oil, the main cavern's section is 411.5m2, with 23m height and 19m width. According to the principle and technique of engineering geomechanics, this study supply a sort of system scientific thinking and method for sitting location of underground oil storage in granite region: ① On the foundation of the earth crust stability sub-zone appraise of Circum-Bo sea region, farther research concerning granite distribution, genesis, geological period and fault structure are conducted in stable areas, generally, this paper select Liaoxi, east shore of Liaotung peninsula and Jiaotung peninsula as target areas for underground oil storage regions, where Mesozoic granite is magnitude; ②After roundly comparison in facts of geologic structure, engineering geology, hydrogeology, topography, transportation and so on of three granite distributed areas, at last, selecting Jingzhou granite zone in Liaoxi out as an ideal construction area; ③ Detailed investigation is conducted in the southeast of Baimashi in Jingzhou development district, the final field. Ultrasonic Borehole Television, as a major way to collect original information of borehole rock mass were used, which is very effective to appraise the quality of deep rock mass; ④ According to the field data of tectonic stress, rock mass quality, the spatial distribution of fracture water, some optimum designs in cross section, axial direction and cavern span have been designed for the underground oil storage cavern layout in Jinzhou. To understand the characteristics of swelling alteration rock in Jinzhou granite mass, collected abundant swelling alteration rock engineering examples in granite, which study them in detail, concluded the swelling alteration rock distribute nearly everywhere in China, intruded medium-basic dykes alteration, along discontinuities and mineral hydrothermal alteration with genesis of granite are three main forms clayization alteration rock in granite rock mass. In Jinzhou field, from macro to micro studied the swelling rock which induced by mid-basic dyke intrusion, with weak swelling. In conclusion, this paper conclude the distribution rule and features of expansion alteration rock in filed, and advise some technical suggestions for excavation at swelling alteration rock part. The main features of this paper: ①In the process of site selection, investigation and design, a suit of technique and method of engineering geomechanics metasynthesis were formed, which is significative to guide the large scale underground oil storage cavern sitting location, investigation and design in granite rock mass; ②The detailed discussion on the engineering geology problems in granite mass, such as weathering crust, faults, dykes and clayization alteration rock, are useful for other projects in aspects of site selection, engineering geology evaluation and stability estimation; ③The summary and integration of the genesis, type, countermeasure relate to swelling alteration rock, also is likely to be used for other underground oil storage caverns constructed in swelling alteration granite. In conclusion, this study is meaningful for guiding the large scale underground oil storage for site selection, investigation and design in granite rock mass.

8～12岁男孩的性激素与智力、人格的关系

Recently there emerged more and more researhes concerning about sex hormone-related cognitive ability and behaviours. Few were carried out in pre- to early adolescent children., and the objective of the current study is to investigate whether there are covariance between sex hormones, intelligence and personality in 232 pre- to early adolescent boys, including 62 gifted boys. Indexes of sex hormone levels were salivary testosterone and estradiol concentrations, the 2D:4D digit ratio ( a reliable pointer of prenatal sex hormone concentraions). The Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test and a Chinese version of Children’s Personality Questionaire was applied in the current study. The main findings are: 1) salivary sex hormone concentrations significantly positively correlated with intelligence performance in 10-year-old boys; 2) salivary testosterone negatively related to intelligence performance in 12-year-old boys; 3) gifted boys bears lower testosterone concentrations in both prenatal period and pre- to early adolescence; 4) for personality, higher salivary estradiol was related to extraversion and digit ratios correlated with several personality factors in 8-year-old boys. In conclusion, results in the current study suggested that for male early maturers, intelligence may be negatively influenced by early coming androgen surge. In contrast, male late matures may benefit from their lately and moderately increasing hormone. Besides, the results suggested that the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio and personality may also be paid attention to.

Monitoramento da expansão agropecuária na Região Oeste da Bahia.

A região Oeste do Estado da Bahia, tradicionalmente ocupada pela pecuária extensiva, conheceu um desenvolvimento da atividade agrícola sem precedentes nos últimos 15 anos. Essa rápida e intensa mudança no uso das terras tem produzido impactos ambientais antes inexistentes na região, tais como: erosão hídrica e eólica, perda de habitats, alteração dos povoamentos e populações faunísticas, diminuição da vazão dos rios que drenam a região, assoreamento, erosão genética e redução da biodiversidade. No atual ritmo de desenvolvimento, o volume de investimento tende a crescer, impulsionando os demais setores da economia e dos vários segmentos do agronegócio no oeste baiano. Neste contexto, surge a necessidade de maior conhecimento sobre a dinâmica de ocupação regional e as transformações ambientais decorrentes da antropização de paisagens naturais. A constituição de uma base de dados geográficos sobre a área, incluindo o mapeamento e o monitoramento do uso e cobertura das terras através de imagens de satélite contribui para avaliar a situação atual, a dinâmica em curso e o impacto de projetos de desenvolvimento regional existentes. Mais especificamente, a análise baseada em geoinformação otimiza a quantificação direta dos fenômenos mapeados e a identificação dos processos de antropização associados à expansão e intensificação agropecuária, constituindo um importante instrumento de apoio à decisão e orientação de políticas públicas que conciliem o desenvolvimento regional e a preservação dos recursos naturais remanescentes. Baseado num enfoque de sustentabilidade para o gerenciamento e o planejamento do modelo de desenvolvimento para o oeste do Estado da Bahia, o BNDES e a Embrapa Monitoramento por Satélite firmaram um contrato técnico para a constituição de uma base de dados espaciais, num esforço conjunto para viabilizar a gestão ambiental estratégica da região.