Ethical and legal implications in IVF and prenatal diagnosis in the U.K.

The natural desire for couples to be parents and the medical practitioner's inability to treat most genetic diseases have been responsible for some of the most exciting research into infertility and genetic disorders. This has led in the United Kingdom to the establishment of the Warnock Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilization and its report in 1984, and to a Review of the guidance on Research Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material published in 1989 and known as the Polkinghorne Report. The Warnock Report, among other ethical issues, considers the most fundamental question which has been debated for thousands of years, namely, What is life and when does it begin? More recently, the report has been responsible for new legislation which imposes ethical and legal restrictions on the scientific and medical community. The Polkinghorne Report recommends a voluntary code of practice which is morally and ethically acceptable within our society. We are also fortunate in the U.K. to have a parliamentary structure which allows debate on such important human issues and is prepared to impose ethical restrictions.     

Chemical interactions between amino acid and RNA: multiplicity of the levels of specificity explains origin of the genetic code

The emergence of the genetic code remains an enigma. Proposed mechanisms are based on random, historical, thermodynamic and natural selection. However, they introduce chance as a key factor for overcoming the difficulties encountered by the model. We propose here a model in which three successive levels of chemical specificity generated the nucleotide assignments of amino acids in the genetic code. The first level results from hydrophobic and stereospecific interactions between amino acids and short oligonucleotides (termed oligons). The second and third levels of specificity are determined by conditions of energy transfer from loaded oligons (amino acid-oligomer covalently linked) to formation of phosphodiester bond (second level of specificity) and peptidic bond (third level of specificity), while these reactions are catalyzed by RNA templates. This model is sustained by the relationships observed between dipole moments of the nucleotides (forming the anticodon) and reactivity of the amino acyl linkage of the loaded oligon. Moreover, analysis of modern tRNAs reveals that they were probably generated by loose duplication of the nucleotide sequence forming the oligons, after emergence of the 'genetic code.' Indeed, the similarity of nucleotide composition with that of the anticodon decreases with the tRNA domain's distance from the anticodon, but the acceptor stem is relatively more similar to the anticodon than other stems closer to it. This would be because energy transfer constraints that existed between anticodon and amino acid in prebiotic loaded oligonucleotides still affect the structures of modern tRNA acceptor stems. In the model presented, the genetic code is inherent to the most archaic 'molecular physiology' in protolife, even before emergence of a functional 'protein world.' Simple physical processes, in which a level of specificity is integrated in an emerging meta-structure expressing new properties, generate a parsimonious and realistic explanation of emergence of the genetic code.     

Designing a new science-policy communication mechanism for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has lacked an efficient mechanism to access scientific knowledge since entering into force in 1996. In 2011 it decided to convene an Ad Hoc Working Group on Scientific Advice (AGSA) and gave it a unique challenge: to design a new mechanism for science-policy communication based on the best available scientific evidence. This paper outlines the innovative ‘modular mechanism’ which the AGSA proposed to the UNCCD in September 2013, and how it was designed. Framed by the boundary organization model, and an understanding of the emergence of a new multi-scalar and polycentric style of governing, the modular mechanism consists of three modules: a Science-Policy Interface (SPI); an international self-governing and self-organizing Independent Non-Governmental Group of Scientists; and Regional Science and Technology Hubs in each UNCCD region. Now that the UNCCD has established the SPI, it is up to the worldwide scientific community to take the lead in establishing the other two modules. Science-policy communication in other UN environmental conventions could benefit from three generic principles corresponding to the innovations in the three modules—joint management of science-policy interfaces by policy makers and scientists; the production of synthetic assessments of scientific knowledge by autonomous and accountable groups of scientists; and multi-scalar and multi-directional synthesis and reporting of knowledge.     

Molecular biodiversity. Case study: Porifera (sponges)

Biological diversity--or biodiversity--is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend. The research on molecular biodiversity tries to lay the scientific foundation of a rational conservation policy that has its roots in various disciplines including systematics/taxonomy (species richness), present day ecology (diversity of ecological systems), and functional genetics (genetic diversity). The results of ongoing genome analyses (genome projects and expressed sequence tag projects) and the achievements of molecular evolution may allow us not only to quantitate the diversity of the present biota but also to extrapolate to their diversification in the future. A link between biodiversity and genomics/molecular evolution will create a platform which we hope may facilitate a sustainable management of organismic life and ensure its exploitation for human benefit. In the present review we outline possible strategies, using the Porifera (sponges) as a prominent example. On the basis of solid taxonomy and ecological data, the high value of this phylum for human application becomes obvious, especially with regard to the field of chemical ecology and the desire to find novel potential drugs for clinical use. In addition, the benefit of trying to make sense of molecular biodiversity using sponges as an example can be seen in the fact that the study of these animals, which are "living fossils", gives us a good insight into the history of our planet, especially with respect to the evolution of Metazoa.     

天然有机质与重金属相互作用的分析方法进展

由于NOM(natural organic matter,天然有机质)种类及来源的多样性及其结构和性质的复杂性,导致NOM与重金属之间的相互作用存在一定的不确定性. 针对NOM与重金属之间相互作用的一系列分析方法,重点阐述了谱学分析有关分析方法、等温滴定微量热法、溶出伏安法、zeta电位变化分析以及高效体积排阻色谱法等,这些方法从NOM的谱学特征、zeta电位、分子量、热力学参数及电化学性质等方面对二者之间的相互作用进行深入研究,取得了一定进展,但也存在不足. 针对各分析方法的特点及其局限性,建议今后联合使用多种方法分析NOM与重金属之间的相互作用机制;通过确定不同影响因素对二者结合作用的大小和权重,建立多因素影响下二者相互作用的模型,以定性、定量分析天然水体中NOM与重金属的相互作用.      

国土空间规划大数据应用方法框架探讨

新时代国土空间规划的核心目标为“满足人民对美好生活的需求”和“自然资源保护”并重。作为国家部门调整后的新规划类型,国土空间规划编制的方法研究整体缺乏,学者主要聚焦于自然资源本身的禀赋情况,利用传统统计、空间及调查数据和统计分析、空间分析及归纳演绎等方法对国家及省域层面的国土空间承载力与适宜性进行静态评价,对生态红线、基本农田保护线、城镇开发边界进行刚性划定。然而,现有研究较少考虑人类活动对国土空间利用的动态影响,缺乏对新发展趋势之下的生态空间、农业空间及城镇空间的科学安排。本文引入能够直接反映人类活动时空变化的大数据,重点从国土空间适宜性评价、生态空间规划、农业空间规划及城镇空间规划四个环节探讨了大数据应用的方向与具体方法框架,强调“自然空间”+“社会经济活动”相互作用下的国土空间规划编制的科学化路径。     

生命周期方法在天然气基汽车燃料评价中的运用

运用生命周期评价方法,对以天然气为原料生产压缩天然气、甲醇、二甲醚、柴油4种汽车代用燃料系统进行生命周期的能源、环境和经济评价,评价结果是：压缩天然气系统生命周期内的能耗相对少,总成本相对低,对生态环境更友好,压缩天然气是富含天然气地区一段时期内汽车代用燃料的优先选择．     

专家笔谈：资源环境热点问题

重大的资源开发利用工程建设设想或实施往往容易引起社会各界的广泛关注。如何正确认识和科学评价各种资源环境热点问题是大家讨论的重点。文章认为任何重大资源开发工程必须遵循自然规律、生态规律、资源规律和经济规律,必须结合国家战略需求和地缘政治关系,开展前期深入的系统性综合调查,进行生态安全与资源工程安全评价和交叉学科论证,并对其科学价值、社会价值和经济价值等做出正确的判断。建议：未来的资源环境工程建设要谨防“大跃进”,要科学认识自然资源系统规律,守护好美丽的地球家园;要切实履行资源科学家的社会责任,提倡基于科学研究和科学态度的学术争鸣,科学问题最好还是由科学家去讨论;一些争议大的科研课题慎用公益性研发经费来支持。     

A field investigation into the characteristics and formation mechanisms of particles during the operation of laser printers and photocopiers

Indoor particle release from toner printing equipment (TPE) is a major health concern and has received wide attention. In this study, nine printing centers were randomly selected and three working phases were simulated, namely, non-working, normal printing/copying, and heavy printing/copying. The dynamics of the ozone (O₃), volatile organic compound (VOC), and particle emissions from TPE were determined by portable detectors. Results showed that particles, VOCs, and O₃ were indeed discharged, and particles and VOCs concentrations remained at high levels. Among them, 44% of the rooms represented high-level particle releases. Submicrometer-sized particles, especially nanoparticles, were positively correlated with VOCs, but were inversely proportional to the O₃ concentration. Four elements, Ca, Al, Mg and Ni, were usually present in nanoparticles because of the discharge of paper. Si, Al, K, Ni and Pb were found in the submicrometer-sized particles and were consistent with the toner composition. The potential particle precursors were identified, which suggested that styrene was the most likely secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursor. Overall, the use of the toner formulation and the discharge of paper attribute to the TPE-emitted particles, in which styrene is a specific monitoring indicator for the formation of SOA.     

京津冀区域人为源VOCs排放特征及管控策略

挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds, VOCs)是细颗粒物(PM_2.5)与臭氧(O3)的重要前体物,对我国城市复合污染的形成有重要影响,京津冀区域大气污染问题严峻,VOCs排放源类别复杂,且排放量基数大,亟需形成有效的VOCs管控策略.因此选取京津冀区域人为源VOCs排放为研究对象,建立2018年分行业分物种VOCs排放清单,并基于实测与文献调研的行业VOCs成分谱数据,获取各排放源臭氧生成潜势(ozone formation potential, OFP)与二次有机气溶胶生成潜势(secondary organic aerosol formation potential, SOAP),同时构建VOCs排放源优先控制分级技术方法,计算各排放源分级指数,明确优先控制排放源目标.结果表明：(1)京津冀区域2018年人为源VOCs排放总量为214.0×10⁴ t,其中芳香烃、烷烃与含氧有机物为主要物种.(2)小型客车、工业防护涂料、重型货车、焦化行业是OFP与SOAP的最主要来源.(3)工业防护涂料、小型客车、重型货...     

活性炭结构和性能与饮用水处理中有机物去除率的关系研究

活性炭的吸附性能主要由其结构特征和表面化学性质决定。如何选择合适的适用于饮用水处理的活性炭显得尤为重要。本试验以某湖水中的天然有机物质作为配水中有机物的来源，对活性炭的结构、性能指标和水质化学安全性指标（主要是高锰酸盐指数和UV254）进行了相关性分析。结果表明，试验用水经活性炭吸附后的水质主要与5～10nm和30-100nm的孔容有关，尤其与50～100nm的孔容最为相关。碘值和有机物去除率的相关性较差。比表面积、孔容积、平均孔径与有机物去除率有一定的相关性。     

自然资源资产辨析和负债、权益账户设置与界定研究——基于复式记账的自然资源资产负债表框架

资源环境问题成为经济社会发展的约束性问题,成立自然资源部,探索编制自然资源资产负债表是加强自然资源统筹管理的重要举措。自然资源核算和自然资源资产负债表的编制是自然资源统筹管理的基础工作,目前国外较多自然资源核算成果建立在SEEA 2012的基础上。编制自然资源资产负债表首先由中国提出来并开展研究,但综合来看,在基础理论研究和实践方法上还处于研究初级阶段,需要进一步加强理论基础和科学方法研究。论文基于会计理论的复式记账核算理论,研究了自然资源负债和权益的生产论和自然资源循环理论基础,提出了基于资源环境承载力、相关资源功能规划、生态红线基础上的自然资源负债和权益界定标准,以及在此界定标准上设计自然资源资产负债表及其相关平衡核算。自然资源资产是指能够给人类带来直接或间接福利的自然要素总和,它不仅包括直接参与经济社会系统循环的物质和环境要素,也包括参与生态循环间接为人类带来生态服务价值的自然要素;基于自然资源资产分析,论文将自然资源资产的权益分为自然资源的生态权益和自然资源的经济权益,这样的分类也有其生态文明的伦理基础;自然资源负债的产生是由于资源过度损耗、环境污染和生态破坏,既有人为因素,也有自然因素,是经济社会为了补偿生态系统的可持续性而需要付出的经济代价。通过以上资产、负债、权益的界定,为我们设计自然资源资产负债表提供了逻辑基础。论文研究旨在设计合理的基于复式记账的自然资源过程核算,以及资源资产负债表编制账户体系设计和平衡关系理论,以期为自然资源核算和资产负债表的编制提供科学的理论基础,构建科学合理的自然资源核算理论和编制科学的自然资源资产负债表。     

某车载油箱在随机振动环境下的疲劳寿命研究

目的 针对某车载油箱高周疲劳寿命难以预测问题,研究该设备在随机载荷环境下的疲劳寿命。方法 首先通过模态试验得到油箱固有频率及振型,然后利用Solidworks建立该车载油箱的仿真模型,在ANSYS Workbench软件中进行模态分析、随机振动分析、谐响应分析。最后利用ANSYS Workbench软件中的nCode SN Vibration (DesignLife)模块,在随机振动疲劳寿命频域分析法基础上,通过nCode模块中的Narrowband法进行油箱在多个加速度功率谱密度下的疲劳寿命研究。结果 该油箱在约束模态试验和仿真分析下所表现的动力学特性基本相同,油箱纵向为振动严酷方向。在已知加速度功率谱密度下,油箱疲劳寿命随低阶固有频率处功率谱密度幅值的增加而降低,但油箱薄弱部位始终保持不变。结论 建立的仿真模型准确,可为油箱优化设计及后续油箱疲劳试验提供参考。     

海洋沉积物的质量评价与管理

海洋管理者迫切需要建立评估海洋中沾污沉积物引发海洋资源负效应程度的方法。本文就此考察了评价海洋沉积物受人类活动影响的方法，以及相关的海洋生物和人类健康的风险，通过总结过去的评价工作，确定辨别天然沉积物、人类活动干扰（沾污的）的沉积物和引发负效应（污染的）的沉积物状况的经验程序。在一定程度上指出了符合科学有效性和管理实用性标准的方法，为管理者在海洋环境评价和管理中使用章程、法规、标准和规范的提供了指导，而且对审批疏浚和废物排放、实施环境法规和解释监测计划结果也会起到一定作用。     

A review of environmental characteristics and effects of low-molecular weight organic acids in the surface ecosystem

Low molecular weight organic acids （LMWOAs） are prevalent on the earth＇s surface. They are vital intermediate products during metabolic pathways of organic matter and participate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle during life activities. Photochemical reactions are pivotal for LMWOAs＇ origination and play a large role in determining their diversity and their ultimate fate. Within the long time that organic matter is preserved in sediments, it can be decomposed and converted to release organic and inorganic pollutants as well as C, N, and P nutrients, which are of potential ecological risk in causing secondary pollution to lake water. The sediment pool is a comprehensive and complex compartment closely associated with overlying water by various biochemical processes, during which LMWOAs play critical roles to transport and transform elements. This article elucidates geochemical behaviors of LMWOAs in the surface environment in details, taking natural water, soil, and aerosol as examples, focusing on reviewing research developments on sources and characteristics, migration and mineralization of LMWOAs and relevant environmental effects. Simultaneously, this review article depicts the categories and contents of LMWOAs or their contribution to DOC in environmental media, and evaluates their importance during organic matter early diagenesis. Through concluding and discussing the conversion mechanisms and influencing factors, the next research orientations on LMWOAs in lake ecosystems are determined, mainly concerning relationships with hydrochemical parameters and microorganisms, and interactions with pollutants. This will enrich the knowledge on organic matter degradation and related environmental effects, and help reconstruct a theoretical framework for organic compound succession and influencing factors, providing basic data for lake eutrophication and ecological risk assessment, conducive to better control over water pollution and proper management of water quality.     

湖泊类水体中天然有机物遥感试验

本文介绍了对湖泊类水体中天然有机物进行红外摄影遥感的方法,结果表明,彩色红外反转胶片的蓝光密度值与生化耗氧量(BOD)之间存在较高的相关性。据此得到的经验模型可用于大范围的湖泊类水体的水质评价。 文中分析了天然有机物与湖泊类水体光学特性及胶片彩色密度的关系。     

融合自然-人为因子改进回归克里格对土壤镉空间分布预测

掌握土壤重金属的空间分布对于科学制定土壤污染风险管控策略具有重要支撑作用.针对目前重金属空间模拟较少考虑影响因素且平行变量间存在多重共线性,导致预测精度较低问题,选取自然-人为的23个影响因素,采用OK（普通克里格法）、NRK（仅基于自然因子的回归克里格法）和NARK（基于自然-人为因子的回归克里格法）对土壤镉空间分布进行模拟,评估预测精度,以冶炼厂周边区域实证研究.结果表明：该区土壤镉点位超标率达85.93%,对土壤镉空间异质性的影响表现为冶炼厂大气排放 > 钢铁厂大气排放 > pH > 有机质 > 与道路的欧氏距离 > 与河流的欧氏距离.NARK对土壤镉预测结果的均方根误差和平均绝对误差较OK法分别降低26.86%和30.56%,模型决定系数R²由0.78提升到0.88;较NRK分别降低24.15%和24.23%,R²由0.81提升到0.88.融合自然和人为因素的回归克里格模型明显提高了土壤镉空间分布模拟精度,增加人为因素作为辅助变量对模型精度的提升贡献很大,尤其是大气点源污染排放.     

基于灰色神经网络的有机涂层寿命预测研究

暴露于大气腐蚀环境下的有机涂层使用寿命涉及因素繁多,难于精确预测.基于灰色理论和人工神经网络理论,建立了灰色神经网络模型对有机涂层腐蚀面积进行预测,进而预测其寿命.通过飞机结构模拟试验件加速腐蚀试验后的有机涂层寿命预测实例检验,发现灰色神经网络模型预测有机涂层寿命精度较高,结果理想.     

黄土高原旱地农业自然生产力潜势评价——兼论旱地农业的出路

本文运用系统工程理论,从理论与实践的结合上,对黄土高原旱地农业自然生态系统的土地、光、热、自然降水等各主要因子的生产潜力进行了评价。从而为开发该地区旱地农业的自然生产力潜势提供了科学依据。本文还通过对旱地农业生态经济系统可控制因素与非可控制因素的分析,以及从人类经济再生产行为方式等角度,对旱地自然生产力蕴藏着巨大潜势和“越穷越垦、越垦越穷”这一历史事实构成的悖论作出了科学解释,否定了“十年九旱”是旱地农业增产的主要制约因素的传统观点,为开发旱地农业资源提供了一条现实的、可供选择的思路。     

山东黄河下游流域土壤碳储量及时空变化研究

全球气候变暖及其影响是当前人类面临的重大环境问题之一,大气CO2浓度的剧增为人类生活带来的诸多环境问题越来越严重。土壤有机碳是陆地生态系统碳库的重要组成部分,它的微小变化直接影响大气温室气体的浓度。本文利用2003~2010年多目标区域地球化学调查及20世纪80年代全省第二次土壤普查碳数据,对山东省黄河下游流域土壤碳密度、碳储量及时空变化规律和固碳潜力与机制进行了研究,结果表明,1.0 m土层有机碳库约占我国SOCP的3.28%;表现出"碳汇";水稻土碳密度最高、砂姜黑土次之,滨海盐土最低;研究区0~1.0 m土层固碳潜力为1.02×109t,相当于可减少大气中0.081%CO2浓度。通过相关性分析表明,在土壤中增施有机肥和N、P、K肥,以及施用Zn等矿质肥料可有效提高土壤中的有机碳量,提升土壤固碳能力,而含Cl量过高是滨海土壤固碳的破坏性因素。本研究为缓解大气CO2浓度的剧增的环境压力,发挥和提高我国土壤生态系统的固碳潜力提供了科学依据。