ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND SCENARIOS OF URBANIZATION IN ARID AREA——A Case Study in Wuwei City of Gansu Province

1IN T R O D U C T IO N The western China isfacinggrowing problems of eco- logicaland economic development. The disparitiebse- tween the socio-economy of the western and eastern China were enlarging, and the major ecologicalprob- lems stilelvolve as past(H…     

Comparative analysis on soil engineering classifications of China and America

Based on China National Standard of Soil Engineering Classification (GB/T 50145-2007) and the Unified Soil Classification System of American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM D-2478), two kinds of soil laboratory engineering classification methods were discussed and analyzed from the aspects of the definition in particle fraction, classification of soil type and evaluation standard for soil gradation. There is a same limit of fine grains fraction in the two standards, and there are three main types of soil in GB/T 50145-2007 and two in ASTM D-2487. Different evaluation standards of gradation are put forward for gravels and sands in ASTM D-2487. Same criteria of A line, B line and controlling value of plastic index are in the plasticity chart of both standards.     

TSENGIELLA, A NEW GENUS OF DELESSERIACEAE——(RHODOPHYTA) FROM CHINA

A medium-sized delesseriaceous red alga has been collected from the subtidal area of the northern Huanghai Sea coast. The characteristics of the specimens precludes their being placed in any genus defined by the currently accepted criteria. Tsengiella gen. nov., with T. spinosa sp. nov., as the type and only known species, is created and allied with the Hypoglossum group of-the Delesserioideae (Delesseriaceae, Ceramiales, Rhodophyta).     

SUSTAINABLE URBAN-RURAL RELATION IN RAPID URBANIZATION AREAS——Case of Transformation of "Urban Village" in Guangzhou

1IN T R O D U C T IO NDue to acceleratingurban sprawl and suburbanizatio,nlargeareaoffarmlandwere changed intonon-agricultur-allanduse sincethelate1990s,especiallyinSouth Chi-na.Meanwhile some villageswere surrounded by urbanbuilt-upareasand became"thevillagesin urban area",which arenamed hereas"urban villages."Specificallyindefinitio,nurban villageisa ruralcom munity inurbanbuilt-upareasbecause of drasticurban sprawl,subur-banizationand industriadlispersion.A nd inrealityur-ban villagee…     

THERMAL EFFECTS OF BUILDING＇S EXTERNAL SURFACES IN CITY——Characteristics of Heat Flux into and out of External Wall Surfaces

This study examined the thermal effects of building‘s external wall surfaces, using observational data of spatial-temporal distribution of surface temperature, air temperature, and heat flux into and out of external surface. Results indicate that external wall surface temperature and nearby air temperature vary with the change of orientation, height and season. In general, the external wall surface temperature is lower near the ground, and is higher near the roof, than nearby air temperature. But north wall surface temperature is mostly lower than nearby air temperature at the same height; south wall surface temperature during the daytime in December, and west wall surface temperature all day in August, is respectively higher than nearby air temperature. The heat fluxes into and out of external wall surfaces show the differences that exist in the various orientations, heights and seasons. In December,south wall surface at the lower sites emits heat and north wall surface at the higher sites absorbs heat. In April, all external wall surfaces, emit heat near the ground and absorb heat near the roof. In August, west wall surface all day emits heat, and other wall surfaces just show the commensurate behavior with that in April.     

Effects of logging intensity on structure and composition of a broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest on Changbai Mountains,northeast China

In order to identify a harvesting model which is beneficial for broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest(BKF) sustainability, we investigated four types of harvested stands which have been logged with intensities of 0(T0, control), 15%(T1, low intensity), 35%(T2, moderate intensity), and 100%(T3, clear-cutting), and examined the impacts of logging intensity on composition and structure of these stands. Results showed that there were no significant differences between T0 and T1 for all structural characteristics, except for density of seeding and large trees. The mean diameter at breast height(DBH, 1.3 m above the ground), stem density and basal area of large trees in T2 were significantly lower than in T0, while the density of seedlings and saplings were significantly higher in T2 than in T0. Structural characteristics in T3 were entirely different from T0. Dominant tree species in primary BKF comprised 93%, 85%, 45% and 10% of the total basal area in T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Three community similarity indices, the Jaccard′s similarity coefficient(CJ); the Morisita-Horn index(CMH); and the Bray-Curtis index(CN), were the highest for T0 and T1, followed by T0 and T2, and T0 and T3, in generally. These results suggest that effects of harvesting on forest composition and structure are related to logging intensities. Low intensity harvesting is conductive to preserving forest structure and composition, allowing it to recover in a short time period. The regime characterized by low logging intensity and short rotations appears to be a sustainable harvesting method for BKF on the Changbai Mountains.     

Dynamic Assessment on Regional Eco-environmental Quality Using AHP-Statistics Model—-A Case Study of Chaohu Lake Basin

An indicator system closely connected with eco-environment, in which indicator involves in such fields as society, economy, resources, environment and ecology, is first proposed for eco-environmental quality assessment. Then, a hierarchical model with four levels is established by virtue of these indicators and attributes. In the model, weights of indicators and attributes are determined by combining Delphi method with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and a statistic method is used to eliminate the influences arising from the differences in dimension and magnitude of indicators. On these grounds, an AHP-statistics model is provided for regional eco-environmental quality assessment. As a case, such AHP-statistics model is utilized in the dynamic analysis of regional eco-environmental assessment in Chaohu Lake basin. Study results show that natural environmental quality in the watershed was in the declining state while social environmental quality was in a markedly improved situation from 1996, and the synthetic eco-environmental quality was gradually and slowly improved under the common influences of both natural and social environmental factors. Example of application testified the capacities of above methodology to evaluate the real and dynamic state of regional eco-environmental quality.     

The roles of thyroid hormone receptor and T3 in metamorphosis of Haliotis diversicolor

Thyroid hormone is a kind of important hormone which regulates metamorphosis. Its role is well described in amphibian metamorphosis. Thyroid hormones(T3 and T4) have also been demonstrated to play a role in metamorphosis of marine invertebrates. However, the mechanism of thyroid hormone in metamorphosis of marine invertebrates remains unknown. A homolog of vertebrate thyroid hormone receptor(TR) was cloned and identified in abalone Haliotis diversicolor and was named HdTR. The mRNA expressions of HdTR, thyroid peroxidase( TPO), thyroid peroxidase 1( TPO1), idothyronine deiodinase III( IDIII) and integrin alpha-V( ITGAV) had significant dif ference in metamorphosis of H. diversicolor.Metamorphosis rate and mortality rate were significantly dif ferent in HdTR RNAi experiment and T3 inducing experiment. In RNAi experiment, ITGAV and CCND1(cyclin D1) expression of dsRNA HdTR exposing group were significantly lower than those of blank control and negative control. But CTNNB(catenin beta) expression of dsRNA HdTR exposing group was higher than that those of blank control and negative control. ERK(extracellular signal regulated kinases) and PI3 K(phosphoinositide-3-kinase) had no significant dif ference in RNAi experiment. Moreover, ITGAV of 1 μmol/L T3 group was significantly lower than that of 0 μmol/L T3 group, PI3 K expression of 10 μmol/L T3 group was higher than that of 0 μmol/L T3 group, and the other genes expression had no significant dif ference in T3 inducing experiment. The data of genes expression suggested that CCND1 might be an ef fector gene of TR genomic action, while CTNNB might be regulated by unliganded TR. CCND1 and CTNNB may be involved in cell proliferation of metamorphosis. T3 might regulate the expression level of PI3 K via nongenomic way. These results shed light on the mechanism of thyroid hormone in abalone metamorphosis.     

Two New Species of the Genus finocladia Kylin （Chordaria-les, Phaeophyta） from Yellow Sea Coasts of China

Two new species of the genus Tinocladia Kylin, T. gracilis sp. nov. and T. microsporangii sp. nov,, are described. T. gracilis is characterized by its slender frond, variable size, infrequently branched medullary filaments, and short assimilating filaments with 2 - 7 cells. T. microsporangii is characterized by its medullary cells which are slightly larger than sub-cortical ones; narrow sub-cortical layer, usually consisting of 4- 6 cells and very small unilocular sporangia. The holotypes are deposited at the Herbarium of the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.     

PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PUFFERFISH OF GENUS TAKIFUGU BY RAPD ANALYSIS

AmpLifications with 300 10-base primers under predetermined optimal reaction yielded 2762 reproducible amplified fragments ranging from 200 to 3000 bp. Genetic distances among five species of Takifugu and Lagocephalus spadiceus as outgreup were calculated based on the presence/absence of the amplified fragments. Topological phylogenie trees of the 5 species of Takgfugu and the outgroup were gen-erated by Parsimony and Neighbor-Joining analysis based on RAPD data set. The genetic distance between T. rubripes and T. pseudommus was almost the same as that between individuals within each species, but was much smaller than that among T. rubripes, T. pseudommus and the other species. The molecu-lar data from RAPD analysis convincingly showed that T. rubripes and T. pseudommus should be the same species.     

Foreword——from the Editorial Board

The journal of Global Geology （English Edition ） edited by the International Center of Geoscience Research and Education in Northeast Asia （ICGRENEA） with the headquarters in Jilin University of China, is formally issued today. The former name of the journal was the Journal of International Geoscientific Research in Northeast Asia which was started in 1998 and served the scientists and teachers in Geoscience in the world, but mainly for the scientists from the six countries of the NE Asia including China, DPR Korea, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Russia.     

Wintertime meso-scale horizontal distribution of large tintinnids in the southern Yellow Sea

Spatial distribution of some large tintinnid species (nominally > 76 μm) is investigated on samples vertically towed in the southern Yellow Sea in winters of 2001 to 2004. Nine tintinnid species are recorded: Codonellopsis morchella, Stenosemella pacifica, S. steini, Tintinnopsis schotti, T. radix, T. karajacensis, Eutintinnus tenuis, Parafavella sp., Leprotintinnus neriticus, of which C. morchella and T. radix dominated in the warm tongue-shaped zone of the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC), and S. pacifica i...     

The regional difference in engineering-control and tillage factors of Chinese Soil Loss Equation

Accurate assessment of soil erosion is an important prerequisite for controlling soil erosion.The engineering-control(E)and tillage(T)factors are the keys for Chinese Soil Loss Equation(CSLE)to accurately evaluate water erosion in China.Besides,the E and T factors can reflect the water and soil conservation effects of engineering-control and tillage practices.But in the current full coverage of soil erosion surveys in China(such as soil erosion dynamic monitoring),for the same practice,the E or T factors are assigned the same value across the country.We selected 469 E and T factors data based on runoff plots from 73 publications,and they came from six soil and water conservation regions.Correlation analysis,regression analysis,and nonparametric tests were used to determine the comparability of the data,and it was proved that the runoff plots dimensions are consistent with the local topography.The results of one-way ANOVA and nonparametric tests for E and T factors in different regions showed that the engineering-control practices have good soil and water conservation effects and weaken the regional differences of other environmental factors,so there were no significant differences in E factors between different regions.However,there were significant differences in T factors between different regions,and the geodetector was applied to explore the intrinsic driving force of the spatial distribution of T factors.The results of the geodetector showed that the dominant driving forces of the spatial distribution of different types of tillage practices were not completely the same.When using CSLE to calculate water erosion,the E factor of the same practice can be used uniformly throughout the country,and the T factor needs to be considered and selected according to regional differences.At the same time,when choosing tillage practices in each water and soil conservation region,practices with better sediment reduction benefits should also be selected according to the regional environmental conditions.     

Mutations in exons of the CYP17-II gene affect sex steroid concentration in male Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

As a specific gene of fish,cytochrome P450c17-Ⅱ(CYP17-Ⅱ) gene plays a key role in the growth,development and reproduction level of fish.In this study,the single-stranded conformational polymorphism(SSCP) technique was used to characterize polymorphisms within the coding region of CYP17-Ⅱ gene in a population of 75 male Japanese flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus).Three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) were identified in CYP17-Ⅱ gene of Japanese flounder.They were c.G594A(p.G188R),c.G939A and c.G1502A(p.G490D).SNP1(c.G594A),located in exon 4 of CYP17-Ⅱ gene,was significantly associated with gonadosomatic index(GSI).Individuals with genotype GG of SNP1 had significantly lower GSI(P < 0.05) than those with geno-type AA or AG.SNP2(c.G939A) located at the CpG island of CYP17-Ⅱ gene.The mutation changed the methylation of exon 6.Indi-viduals with genotype AA of SNP2 had significantly lower serum testosterone(T) level and hepatosomatic index(HSI) compared to those with genotype GG.The results suggested that SNP2 could influence the reproductive endocrine of male Japanese flounder.How-ever,the SNP3(c.G1502A) located in exon 9 did not affect the four measured reproductive traits.This study showed that CYP17-Ⅱ gene could be a potentially useful candidate gene for the research of genetic breeding and physiological aspects of Japanese flounder.     

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of FSHβ Gene Associated with Reproductive Traits in Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Follicle stimulating hormone β (FSHβ) of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) plays a key role in the regulation of gonadal development.This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the FSHβ gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FSHβ on reproductive traits in Japanese flounder.We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the FSHβ gene in 60 individuals.We identified only an SNP (T/C) in the coding region of exon3 of FSHβ.The SNP (T/C) did not lead to amino acid changes at the position 340 bp of FSHβ gene.Statistical analysis showed that the SNP was significantly associated with testosterone (T) level and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (P0.05).Individuals with genotype TC of the SNP had significantly higher serum T levels and GSI (P0.05) than that of genotype CC.Therefore, FSHβ gene could be a useful molecular marker in selection for prominent reproductive trait in Japanese Flounder.     

Intestinal disease of scattered mirror carp Cyprinus carpio caused by Thelohanellus kitauei and notes on the morphology and phylogeny of the myxosporean from Sichuan Province,southwest China

The mass mortality of pond-reared scattered mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio, caused by Thelohanellus kitauei, occurred at fish farms in Sichuan Province, southwest China. Morphological and molecular analyses were supplemented with histological evaluation of infected tissues to better understand the route of infection and the pathological effects of T. kitauei on the fish host. The intestine of the diseased host was full of large cysts of the myxosporean. The cysts range from 2 cm to 3.6 cm in diameter. Histopathology indicated that T. kitaue i first invaded the submucosa of the host intestine and then moved into the mucosa layers with the development of their spores, finally entering into the enteric cavity of the hosts after the disruption of mucosa layers. The pyriform spores of T. kitaue i were surrounded by the transparent spore sheath, measuring 25.98 μm±0.95 μm in body length, 8.72 μm±0.51 μm in body width, and 7.86 μm±0.26 μm in body thickness. The single polar capsule was pyriform, measuring 14.73 μm±0.92 μm in length and 6.82 μm±0.45 μm in width, with eight to 10 turns of filament coils winding inside. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18 S small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequences indicated that minimal genetic differences were present between T. kitauei samples from South Korea and from China. Close affinity was found between the genus Thelohanellus and Myxobolus. Additionally, two polar capsule nuclei were found at the anterior end of the single polar capsule in spores of T. kitaue i stained with hematoxylin and eosin, which suggested the separation of the genus Thelohanellus from Myxobolus.     

EFFECTS OF WATER TABLE AND NITROGEN ADDITION ON CO_2 EMISSION FROM WETLAND SOIL

1IN T R O D U C T IO NCO2emissionfrom soiltoatmosphere,which isim por-tanttocontributetothecarbon balanceof ecosystem,isone of the largestfluxes in the global carbon cycle(SCHLESINGER and ANDREWS,2000).Further-more,thechange of CO2emission from soil,as a …     

ANALYSIS ON AGRICULTRUAL INFORMATION DEMAND——Case of Jilin Province

With the rapid development of agricultural informalization in the world, the demand of agricultural information has been a focus in the international agriculture and information fields. Based on the investigation, this paper presented the four characteristics of the demand of agricultural information in China, includingregionality, seasonality, great potential demand and variation in kind and level. The factors infuencing the demand of agricultural information were analyzed by the Optimized Less Square （OLS） method. The result shows that, of all factors influcing agricultural information demand, the most important one is economy, the second is facility of information pass, and knowledge and education of user, credit of agricultural information service system and production situation follow. Taking Jilin Province as an example, this article also elaborated the agricultural information demand status, and deduced the regression model of agricultural information demand and verified it by the survey in rural Jilin.     

Effects of Body Weight and Water Temperature on Maximum Food Consumption of Juvenile Sebastodes fuscescens （Houttuyn）

Maximum rate of food consumption ( Cmax ) was determined for juvenile Sebastodes fuscescens (Houttuyn) at water temperature of 10, 15, 20 and 25℃. The relationships of Cmax to the body weight (W) at each temperature were described by a power equation: lnCmax = a b lnW. Covariance analysis revealed significant interaction of the temperature and body weight. The relationship of adjusted Cmax to water temperature (T) was described by a quadratic equation: Cmax = -0.369 0.456T - 0.0117T^2. The optimal feeding temperature calculated from this equation was 19.5 ℃. The coefficients of the multiple regression estimation relating Cmax to body weight (W) and water temperature (T) were given in the Table 2.     

Steroid sex hormone dynamics during estradiol-17β induced gonadal differentiation in Paralichthys olivaceus(Teleostei)

Steroid sex hormones,such as estradiol-17β(E2)and testosterone(T),are important regulators of sex change in fish.In this study,we examined the effects of E2 treatment on the dynamics of E2 and T during gonadal differentiation in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus using histology and radioimmunoassay(RIA).Flounder larvae were divided into five groups(G0–G4),and fed with 0 (control),0.2,2,20 and 100 mg E2/kg feed from 35 to 110 day post hatching(dph).Fish growth in the G1 and G2 groups was not significantly different from that of the control group(P0.05),while fish in the G3 and G4 groups were less active and showed growth depression and high mortality.The gonads of fish in the G3 and G4 groups were smaller and surrounded by hyperplastic connective tissue.The frequency of females in the G0–G4 groups was 54.5%,75.0%,100%,100%and 93.3%,respectively.The RIA analyses of E2 and T showed that T levels decreased during gonadal differentiation,and increased slightly at the onset of ovarian differentiation,while E2 levels increased gradually and peaked at the onset of ovarian differentiation in the control group.In the E2-treated groups,T levels decreased before the onset of ovarian differentiation.E2 levels were high on the 48 dph,but declined to a lower level on the 54 dph, and then increased gradually during gonadal differentiation.And a sharp increase of E2 levels were observed in all E2-treated groups at the onset of ovarian differentiation.The data suggest that T and E2 play important roles during gonadal differentiation,and an E2 dose of 2 mg/kg feed could induce sex reversal in P.olivaceus.