人类发展指数的修正与可持续发展的替代指标

本文确认了全球社会-生态问题(过度消费,道德危机)的主要根源并提出了新的可持续发展的愿景,重点要关注精神、道德、心理、生理和人的智力开发(而代替以消费为导主的理念)。讨论了人类发展指标不足所涉及到的因素(寿命预期、人均国内生产总值),提出了测量人类可持续发展的替代指标,即:健康人口的比例。生态效率也被建议作为转化可持续发展的必要条件,人的精神,根据生态中心立场(社会-生态幸福)。通过适当的教育和体制政策而实现环境和人类健康、公平和整个人类的发展。     

Enclave development and ‘offshore corporate social responsibility’: Implications for oil-rich sub-Saharan Africa

This paper critically reflects on the challenges of engaging, proactively, in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in oil-rich sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the region's oil production takes place in enclave-type environments offshore and in countries ruled by autocratic governments which generally exert minimal pressure on companies to embrace CSR. With companies having little sense of who to target in their local economic development policies and programs, there is always a possibility of ‘offshore CSR’ – recognized here as potentially-effective ideas for improving social welfare that linger within the enclave and never fully materialize – surfacing. The aim is to conceptualize and broaden understanding of the challenge of developing CSR programs in these settings, where there are no clear linkages to communities or local economies more generally.     

Is corporate social responsibility possible in the mining sector? Evidence from Catalan companies

This paper examines the role and diffusion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) management, especially in relation with the adoption of other management systems, in small and medium sized companies in the surface mining industry in Catalonia (Spain). Specifically, it identifies the most salient CSR practices, procedures and metrics and the profiles of companies more prone to adopt them. To fulfill this aim, a survey has been conducted. Results show that mining companies are familiar with CSR practices, but there is not much formalization of procedures and measurement systems of CSR yet. Results show that the majority of socially responsible practices are related to environmental issues and therefore there is a relation between CSR and the application of environmental management systems. The analysis reveals that the management of CSR activities improves with the diffusion of knowledge on CSR practices. A second survey collected the opinion of professional associations in the sector. Respondents indicate that an improvement in CSR management will lead to a better global competitive position.     

新中国60年来农业多功能性演变的研究

农业多功能性是近年来国际可持续发展研究与政府闻谈判磋商的热点问题.科学地认识农业多功能性及其演变趋势,对于新时期中国可持续发展战略的制定与实施具有重要意义.鉴于此,该文通过对相关文献和调研资料的整理,从农业的产品生产功能、经济社会功能、生态环境功能、文化休闲功能4个方面.对建国60年来农业多功能性演变的基本趋势进行了初步研究.结果表明,农业产品生产功能在波折中不断提高,而地域之间呈此消彼长现象,总的趋势是农产品生产由南方向北方、由东部向西部转移;农业的经济功能已经大大弱化,但就业和社会保障功能依然极为重要;农业对生态环境的影响,总体来看负面效应要大于正面效应;农业文化传承功能呈全面衰落趋势,但旅游功能则在近年来大为增强.依据这一研究结果,该文进一步探讨了增强我国农业多功能性的政策措施.     

巯基化合物在万寿菊镉解毒中的作用

采用水培实验方法研究了万寿菊体内镉积累和解毒与巯基化合物含量的关系。万寿菊植株分别在镉浓度为0、0.1、0.5、2和8 mg/L的营养液中暴露7 d,测定了根、茎、叶中镉、非蛋白巯基(NPT)、半胱氨酸(Cys)、γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸(γ-EC)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和植物络合素(PCs)的含量。植物根、茎、叶中镉含量都随着镉暴露浓度的增加而增加。当溶液中镉浓度较低(0.1～2 mg/L)时,茎叶中NPT、PCs、Cys和γ-EC含量随着镉浓度增加而增大;当镉浓度较高(8 mg/L)时,茎叶中PCs含量迅速降低,GSH含量大幅度增高。在根部,这些巯基化合物的含量几乎不受镉处理影响,且含量较低。以上研究结果表明:PCs在万寿菊镉的解毒机制中发挥一定的作用,暴露于高浓度的镉,GSH比PCs起着更为重要的解毒作用。     

In vitro effects of citrus oils against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous Mycobacteria of clinical importance

We evaluated the in vitro activity of citrus oils against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species. Citrus essential oils were tested against a variety of Mycobacterium species and strains using the BACTEC radiometric growth system. Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia oil (CPT) was further tested using the Wayne model of in vitro latency.

Exposure of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG to 0.025 % cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil (CPT) resulted in a 3-log decrease in viable counts versus corresponding controls. Inhibition of various clinical isolates of the M. avium complex and M. abscessus ranged from 2.5 to 5.2-logs. Some species/strains were completely inhibited in the presence of CPT including one isolate each of the following: the M. avium complex, M. chelonae and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. CPT also inhibited the growth of BCG more than 99 % in an in vitro model of latency which mimics anaerobic dormancy thought to occur in vivo. The activity of CPT against drug-resistant strains of the M. avium complex and M. abscessus suggest that the mechanism of action for CPT is different than that of currently available drugs. Inhibition of latently adapted bacilli offers promise for treatment of latent infections of MTB. These results suggest that the antimycobacterial properties of CPT warrant further study to elucidate the specific mechanism of action and clarify the spectrum of activity.     

Some toxicological aspects op methamidophos exposure in mice 1

Abstract

Cholinesterase activity in the brain, RBC and plasma of Swiss mice was determined following different routes of administration of methamidophos. Continuous feeding with the insecticide caused a progressive inhibition of both plasma‐ and erythrocyte enzymes. The effect of methamidophos was more pronounced when applied in diet than when administered dermally or intraperitoneally. Following a single injection (i.p.) of methamidophos, the brain enzyme showed maximum inhibition 24 hr following treatment. At the appearance of tremors, the plasma and RBC‐enzymes showed considerable inhibition, the former being more inhibited. The plasma enzyme appears to be the most sensitive enzyme and may be taken as a suitable index for exposure to methamidophos.     

The effects of residual tetracycline on soil enzymatic activities and plant growth

A pot trial was carried out to investigate the adverse effects of tetracycline (TC) on soil microbial communities, microbial activities, and the growth of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L). The results showed that the presence of TC significantly disturbed the structure of microbial communities and inhibited soil microbial activities in terms of urease, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase (p < 0.05). Plant biomass was adversely influenced by TC, especially the roots with a reduction of 40% when compared with the control. Furthermore, TC decreased the assimilation of phosphorus by the plant although the concentration of phosphorus was increased by 20% due to decreased plant biomass. TC seemed to increase the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (by 20%) in soil. The findings implied that the agricultural use of animal manure or fishpond sediment containing considerable amounts of antibiotics may give rise to ecological risks.     

Clinical effects and cholinesterase activity changes in workers exposed to phorate (Thimet)

Abstract

Phorate (Thimet), an aliphatic derivative of phospnorus is a hignly toxic insecticide. In order to implement the safety measures, the clinical manifestations and cholinesterase (ChE) activity were evaluated before and after 2 weeks of exposure to this insecticide in 40 male tormulators.

The 2 week's exposure reveal signs and symptoms of toxicity in 60% of the formulators. Gastrointestinal symptoms and lowering of heart rate (bradycardia) were more prominent as compared to the neurological symptoms. A significant depression in plasma ChE activity was observed at the end of 1st week (55%) and 2nd week (71%) as compared to the respective pre‐exposure values. A recovery up to 79% of the pre‐exposure activity of this enzyme was noticed 10 days after cessation of the above exposure.     

Genotoxicity of chromium in vitro on yeast: Interaction with DNA†

The genotoxicity of chromium chloride was investigated in cells of D₇ strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae harvested either from logarithmic or stationary growth phase.

A weak induction of mifotic gene conversion and point reverse mutation was obtained when the incubations were performed using phosphate buffer. No genetic effect was observed when the incubations were performed using Tris‐HCl buffer.

The experiments with ⁵¹Cr radiotracer demonstrated that Cr³⁺ ion enters the yeast cells and binds to DNA even if the incubation mixture was performed with Tris HCl buffer. This behaviour could be due to the highest concentration of CrCl₃ that cause some damages to cytoplasmatic membrane.