Is Current Consumption Excessive? A General Framework and Some Indications for the United States

Abstract:  Many prior studies have explored the implications of human population growth and environmentally problematic technologies for biodiversity loss and other forms of environmental degradation. Relatively few, however, have examined the impacts of the level and composition of consumption. We offer a framework that shows how the level and composition of a society's total consumption relate to the uses of various forms of capital and to the sustainability of natural resources and human well-being. We relate the framework to two main approaches—top–down macro studies and bottom–up computer models—for measuring whether overall consumption in the United States satisfies a sustainability requirement. Existing top–down studies have shortcomings that bias their results toward optimism, and current computer simulation models, although strong on revealing biophysical outcomes, are limited in their ability to evaluate impacts on human well-being. Although some ambiguities arise in determining whether overall consumption in the United States is excessive, our conclusions regarding the composition of U.S. consumption are unambiguous. Distorted consumption patterns and associated production methods lead to excessively rapid natural resource depletion; greater conservation would yield gains to current and future generations that more than compensate for the sacrifices involved. Public policies that deal with the composition problem not only would help conserve natural resources and improve current welfare but also would reduce the costs of meeting the goal of sustainability.     

Species Imperilment and Spatial Patterns of Development in the United States

Abstract:  Conservation biologists and others hypothesize that humankind's "ecological footprint" is affected not only by the sheer intensity of human activity but also by its spatial arrangement. We used a multivariate statistical model and state-level data to evaluate correlations between species imperilment and the level and spatial distribution of human settlement and infrastructure development in the United States. The level of human activity—measured by the number of people and households, incidence of roads, and intensity of nighttime lights—was significantly correlated with the ecological imperilment of species. Our regression models consistently showed that a 1% increase in the level of human activity across the United States was associated with about a 0.25% increase in the proportion of plant and animal species considered at risk of extinction by The Nature Conservancy. The distribution of human activity did not affect species imperilment. Our results point to rising levels of human activity—and not some particular (e.g., sprawling) distribution of human activity—as the most relevant anthropogenic factor explaining biodiversity loss in the United States.     

Systemic retention of ingested cantharidin by frogs

Summary Frogs(Rana pipiens) fed on blister beetles (Meloidae) or cantharidin, retain cantharidin systemically. After cessation of feeding, they void the compound relatively quickly. Systemic cantharidin does not protect frogs against ectoparasitic feeding by leeches(Hirudo medicinalis) or predation by snakes(Nerodia sipedon). As suggested by our data, and from reports in the early literature, ingestion of cantharidin-containing frogs can pose a health threat to humans.Paper no. 95 of the seriesDefense Mechanisms of Arthropods; no. 94 is LaMunyon & Eisner, Psyche (in press)     

城市人居环境评价体系的研究及应用

在国内外人居环境理论研究及实践的基础上,提出了由系统层、子系统层和指标层构成的城市人居环境评价指标体系,其中系统层由社会经济环境、自然生态环境、公共设施建设、环境资源保护和环境管理能力五部分组成,子系统层由16个指标组成,指标层由43个具体指标组成。利用统计分析法(Delphi)确定各指标的权值。同时,针对本指标体系结构提出了单项评价和综合评价相结合的评价模式,并设置了城市人居环境质量指数和系统协调度两个综合性指标来全面评价城市人居环境质量。通过对重庆市渝北城区的综合评价,评价结果较客观地反映了该城区的实际。     

上消化道出血的常见诱因分析及护理对策

本文对上消化道出血的常见诱因进行了分析,并对临床护理方法进行了实践探讨,以求对上消化道出血的护理工作提供参考.     

4-硝基苯胺与人血清白蛋白相互作用的研究

通过荧光和紫外光谱法研究了4-硝基苯胺与人血清白蛋白（HSA）的作用.结果表明,4-硝基苯胺对HSA的内源荧光具有强烈的猝灭作用.猝灭机理为静态猝灭,同时伴随有非辐射能量转移的发生.根据双对数方程计算其结合常数和结合位点数.确定4-硝基苯胺与HSA有一类结合部位.根据热力学参数得出4-硝基苯胺与HSA之间的主要作用力为氢键和疏水作用力.同步荧光的结果表明,作用点位靠近色氨酸,并且使色氨酸的疏水环境增强.     

Toxic metals status in human blood and breast milk samples in an integrated steel plant environment in Central India

Owing to its unique nutritional and immunological characteristics, human milk is the most important food source for infants. Breast milk can, however, also be a pathway of maternal excretion of toxic elements. Selected toxic elements (As, Pb, Mn,a Hg and Cd) were determined in human breast milk and blood samples obtained from 120 subjects related to an integrated steel plant environment located in central India. Samples of breast milk and blood from subjects living outside the steel plant environment were also analyzed for comparative study. Higher levels of these toxic elements were found in blood samples as compared to breast milk samples. Plant workers showed the higher presence of these metals in their breast milk and blood samples compared to the residents of the area and the subjects living outside the industrial environment, respectively. Mn, Pb and Hg have shown a higher tendency to associate with blood and breast milk than As and Cd. The order of occurrence of these metals in blood and milk samples thus found is Mn > Pb > Hg > As > Cd.     

松胞素B对人血淋巴细胞和CHL细胞微核率的影响

研究了不同浓度的松胞素Ｂ对人血淋巴细胞和中国仓鼠肺成纤维细胞（ＣＨＬ）分裂吉周期和微核率的影响。结果表明,松胞素Ｂ浓度增高过高能引起细胞微核率增高。在本研究中,对ＣＨＬ细胞微核率试验以３μｇ／ｍＬ松胞素Ｂ较适合;而对人血淋巴细胞微核试验,松胞素Ｂ浓度以２－４μｇ／ｍＬ为宜,松胞表Ｂ浓度过高会提高微核背景值,降低试验的灵敏度和精确性。     

导游人力资源的现状分析与对策

随着导游职业的社会化，导游数量急剧上升，但导游质量却是年年下降，本文就目前我国导游人力资源的学历、等级等现状为主，分析其现状和所存在的问题，并提出相应的对策与建议。     

人地协同论：可持续发展模型构建的基础

人地协同论是在陆地系统科学、非线性系统理论基础上建立起来的关于可持续发展的一个数理模型,它以社会与自然的交互作用、交界面性质及其演化规律为研究对象。本文根据系统生态学理论,提出了关于可持续生存的数学定义。