Trophic interactions of the endangered Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) in a Chilean Ramsar wetland inferred from prey sampling, fecal analysis, and stable isotopes

Non-invasive methodological approaches are highly recommended and commonly used to study the feeding ecology of elusive and threatened mammals. In this study, we use multiple lines of evidence to assess the feeding strategies of the endangered Southern river otter, by determining seasonal prey availability (electrofishing), analysis of undigested prey remains (spraints), and the use of stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) in otter spraints (n?=?262) and prey in a wetland ecosystem of southern Chile (39°49′S, 73°15′W). Fecal and isotopic analyses suggest that the otter diet is restricted to a few prey items, particularly the less-mobile, bottom-living, and larger prey such as crayfish (Samastacus spinifrons, 86.11 %) and crabs (Aegla spp., 32.45 %), supplemented opportunistically by cyprinids (Cyprinus carpio, 9.55 %) and catfish (Diplomystes camposensis, 5.66 %). The results suggest that the river otter is highly specialized in bottom foraging. Isotopic signatures of food sources and feces revealed a mid-upper trophic position for the Southern river otter, with either higher or lower δ¹⁵N values than their potential prey items. δ¹³C values for river otters were less enriched than their potential food resources. We suggest that due to their narrow trophic niche and possible dependence on only a few food items, this species may be highly vulnerable to the reduction in its prey populations. Finally, maintaining the ecological interactions between Southern river otters and their prey is considered a central priority for the survival of this endangered carnivore mammal.     

Scale-dependent analysis of an otter–crustacean system in Argentinean Patagonia

The Southern river otter or ‘huillin’, Lontra provocax, is an endangered species endemic of the Andean Patagonian region of Argentina and Chile. It feeds almost exclusively on the genera of macro-crustacea: Aegla and Sammastacus. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of food availability on the huillin’s distribution using a scale-dependent analysis of crustacean and otter distributions. We compared the distributions of otters and macro-crustaceans along a north–south regional gradient, between river basins of northern Patagonia, in an altitudinal gradient within a river basin, and between habitat types within a lake. We investigated the distribution of otters by sign surveys along lake shores, river banks and marine coasts, and of crustaceans using surveys in the water, undigested remains in mink (Mustela vison) scats, presence of external skeletons at the waterside and through interviews with local people. Our results show that there were heterogeneities in the distributions of macro-crustaceans at four scales and these were generally reflected in the distributions of freshwater otters. We conclude that the main factor limiting the distributions of L. provocax in freshwater environments is the availability of macro-crustaceans. This paper shows how scale-dependent type analyses of population distribution serves as a method for identifying key environmental factors for species for which the use of long-term demographies is unfeasible.     

Mosaicism and accuracy of prenatal cytogenetic diagnoses after chorionic villus sampling and placental biopsies

Discrepant chromosome findings in placenta and fetus (false negative and false positive) after chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are mainly due to confined mosaicism. Non-mosaic normal or abnormal chromosome counts after direct preparation and culture nearly always correctly reflect the fetal chromosome constitution. False-negative results have almost exclusively been restricted to cytotrophoblast cells not representing a fetal chromosome abnormality. Diagnosis of placental mosaicism definitely requires an adequate follow-up by amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, or sonography before a pregnancy is terminated. When direct preparations and cultured cells are used for cytogenetic diagnoses and placental mosaicism is not taken as proof for a chromosomal abnormality in the fetus, CVS is an accurate diagnostic tool.     

The market-incentive recycling system for waste packaging containers in Taiwan

This paper presents a new market-incentive (MI) system to recycle waste-packaging containers in Taiwan. Since most used packaging containers have no or insufficient market value, the government imposes a combined product charge and subsidy policy to provide enough economic incentive for recycling various kinds of packaging containers, such as iron, aluminum, paper, glass and plastic. Empirical results show that the new MI approach has stimulated and established the recycling market for waste-packaging containers. The new recycling system has provided 18,356 employment opportunities and generated NT$ 6.97 billion in real-production value and NT$ 3.18 billion in real GDP during the 1998 survey year. Cost-effectiveness analysis constitutes the theoretical foundation of the new scheme, whereas data used to compute empirical product charge are from two sources: marketing surveys of internal conventional costs of solid-waste collection, disposal and recycling in Taiwan, and benefit transfer of external environmental costs in the United States. The new recycling policy designed by the authors provides a reasonable solution for solid-waste management in a country with limited land resources such as Taiwan.     

保定市黄花沟河流环境及其水质COD变化研究

以保定市城区水系管理委员会2017年3月16日公布的黑臭水体河流中的黄花沟14.4公里的黑臭水体段为参考进行了勘查、取样与COD实验工作,重点从河水不同位置COD的变化角度对黄花沟水体、两岸环境、河道状态以及污染段的点源与面源污染因素等进行概述与浅析,以整体角度概括了以污染累积为主的污染原因,而应对此类河流污染,实施河道修复、生态修复、点源与非点源的控制等多方面的治理是很有必要的。     

某工业场地砷污染的加密布点优化与精度对比分析

场地污染调查是开展场地风险评估和修复的基础,随着我国颁布建设用地土壤风险管控标准等文件,提出风险筛选值和管制值的分级管控体系,我国土壤污染调查工作对于精确掌握污染物浓度梯度及空间分布有了更高的要求,因而如何构建高效采样布点方法变得尤为重要.本研究以南京市某砷工业污染场地为例,开展了优化布点方法与调查精度的研究.首先,在初查数据的基础上,运用指示克里格的方法预测土壤污染概率,参考城市土壤背景值开展阈值设定,提取加密布点区域,之后结合场地历史生产资料与自然信息布设加密点位,最终将插值预测污染结果与非加密、均匀加密、真实情况结果进行对比,验证方法精度.结果表明：本方法符合国际中基于设计抽样以达到场地调查简单、经济、客观的理念,适用于数据存在明显空间相关性的场地;该方法获得的污染区域面积占比为8.32%,与8.57%的现实情况较为接近,但普通法得到的污染面积比相对未加密情况不升反降,可能的原因是在非污染区域增设点位会造成阈值边缘区域在模拟时往清洁区域偏移,污染区域被误判为清洁,反而造成结果偏差;在目前我国环境管理对超阈范围重点关注的背景下,该方法既能够节约布点成本,又精确化预测场地污染超标范围,为后续的场地修复和治理工作提供帮助.     

Non-invasive fetal genotyping for maternal alleles with droplet digital PCR: A comparative study of analytical approaches

Objectives

To develop a flexible droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) workflow to perform non-invasive prenatal diagnosis via relative mutation dosage (RMD) for maternal pathogenic variants with a range of inheritance patterns, and to compare the accuracy of multiple analytical approaches.

Methods

Cell free DNA (cfDNA) was tested from 124 archived maternal plasma samples: 88 cases for sickle cell disease and 36 for rare Mendelian conditions. Three analytical methods were compared: sequential probability ratio testing (SPRT), Bayesian and z-score analyses.

Results

The SPRT, Bayesian and z-score analyses performed similarly well with correct prediction rates of 96%, 97% and 98%, respectively. However, there were high rates of inconclusive results for each cohort, particularly for z-score analysis which was 31% overall. Two samples were incorrectly classified by all three analytical methods; a false negative result predicted for a fetus affected with sickle cell disease and a false positive result predicting the presence of an X-linked IDS variant in an unaffected fetus.

Conclusions

ddPCR can be applied to RMD for diverse conditions and inheritance patterns, but all methods carry a small risk of erroneous results. Further evaluation is required both to reduce the rate of inconclusive results and explore discordant results in more detail.     

广州传统村落生活垃圾产生特征及处置对策研究

以广州市小洲村为研究对象,通过问卷调查和采样分析,研究了生活垃圾的产生特征.结果显示,小洲村人均生活垃圾产生量为0.547 kg·d-1,居民对生活垃圾问题较为关注,但自觉性和对分类知识了解程度不高,不同区域的生活垃圾具有各自特点,总体以有机垃圾、塑料和纸类为主,这些组分占垃圾总量的80.83%~92.02%.结合小洲村特点和生活垃圾现状,提出了依照区域特点规划环卫设施和制定收集模式、利用当地消纳条件就地处理生活垃圾的处理模式.     

地块尺度城市土地质量地球化学调查方法:以雄安新区起步区为例

以土地质量地球化学调查评价成果服务于城市土地资源精准管护为目标,选择中国城镇化探路者的雄安新区起步区为研究对象,采用差异化分类布设样点,开展不同采样密度条件下地块尺度土壤元素空间插值精度、地块（图斑）插值精度和地球化学预测评价等级准确度的定量评估研究.结果表明：①采用差异化分类布设样点方法使平面上随机分布的区域地球化学量变值在每一个地块（图斑）都有明确的量值反映,能满足城市土地资源精准管护对单一地块（图斑）具有质量属性的基本需求;②研究区土壤元素指标空间变异性以轻中度为主;其中Hg、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、N、P和Se受人类生产活动影响,具有较高的空间变异性;③相同采样密度条件下,元素含量空间变异性越大,其空间插值精度和图斑插值精度越低;同一种元素插值精度受采样密度的影响,但采样密度的增大并不一定能够识别土壤元素含量的结构性连续组分;区内土壤环境本底清洁,重金属含量低于GB15618-2018标准,其插值评价等级和实测评价等级结果基本一致;养分指标N、P和K含量区间变化大,受人为扰动和空间变异性等因素影响,其预测等级和实测等级差异较大;④采用16点·km^-2的采样密度开展地块尺度城市土地质量地球化学调查评价可以满足研究区及类似地区城市土地资源精准管控的需求.     

A One-Year Survey of Norovirus in UK Oysters Collected at the Point of Sale

Contamination of bivalve shellfish, particularly oysters, with norovirus is recognised as a food safety risk and a potential contributor to the overall burden of gastroenteritis in the community. The United Kingdom (UK) has comprehensive national baseline data on the prevalence, levels, and seasonality of norovirus in oysters in production areas resulting from a previous two-year study (2009–2011). However, previously, data on final product as sold to the consumer have been lacking. As part of a wider project to establish the overall burden of foodborne norovirus in the UK, this study aimed to address this data gap. A one-year survey of oysters collected from the point-of-sale to the consumer was carried out from March 2015 to March 2016. A total of 630 samples, originating in five different European Union Member States, were collected from 21 regions across the UK using a randomised sampling plan, and tested for norovirus using a method compliant with ISO 15216-1, in addition to Escherichia coli as the statutory indicator of hygiene status. As in the previous production area study, norovirus RNA was detected in a high proportion of samples (68.7%), with a strong winter seasonality noted. Some statistically significant differences in prevalences and levels in oysters from different countries were noted, with samples originating in the Netherlands showing lower prevalences and levels than those from either the UK or Ireland. Overall, levels detected in positive samples were considerably lower than seen previously. Investigation of potential contributing factors to this pattern of results was carried out. Application of normalisation factors to the data from the two studies based on both the numbers of norovirus illness reports received by national surveillance systems, and the national average environmental temperatures during the two study periods resulted in a much closer agreement between the two data sets, with the notably different numbers of illness reports making the major contribution to the differences observed in norovirus levels in oysters. The large majority of samples (76.5%) contained no detectable E. coli; however, in a small number of samples (2.4%) levels above the statutory end product standard (230 MPN/100 g) were detected. This study both revealed the high prevalence of norovirus RNA in oysters directly available to the UK consumer, despite the high level of compliance with the existing E. coli-based health standards, while also highlighting the difficulty in comparing the results of surveys carried out in different time periods, due to variability in risk factors.     

Cross-hybridization of the chromosome 13/21 alpha satellite DNA probe to chromosome 22 in the prenatal screening of common chromosomal aneuploidies by fish

In a routine application of commercially available centromeric DNA probes for the prenatal screening of common trisomies involving the autosomes 13, 18, and 21, and sex chromosomes, four cases of discrepancy between fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results and follow-up cytogenetic analysis were observed from a total of 516 cases of amniocentesis. In three of these cases, the results were false negative, and in one false positive. In this case, amniocentesis was performed because of a positive triple test in a 34-year-old woman with previous infertility treatment. The alpha satellite DNA probe for chromosomes 13/21 revealed five signals in 50 per cent of uncultured amniocytes, while standard cytogenetic analysis showed a normal karyotype. FISH analysis on metaphase chromosomes demonstrated the location of the additional signal in the centromeric region of chromosome 22. This additional signal was also present in the centromeric region of chromosome 22 of the mother, providing evidence for a possible inherited polymorphism in chromosome 22 responsible for unspecific hybridization with the alpha satellite probe for chromosomes 13/21 in this case. The observed polymorphism in centromeric regions may contribute to unreliability of the use of the 13/21 alpha satellite probe for prenatal screening by FISH.     

新时代我国自然资源综合科学考察研究的挑战与展望

自然资源综合科学考察是基础性科技工作,对于服务国民经济和社会发展具有重要的科技支撑作用。进入21世纪,我国自然资源综合科学考察工作从低谷中逐步复苏,但依然面临科考人才断档、经费支持不足、跨国考察组织艰难、重大成果产出不多等诸多挑战。本文从地域范围、队伍组成、技术手段、成果影响等角度总结了我国综合科学考察工作的最新进展,并展望新时代,提出了我国综合科学考察研究工作的六大发展趋势,包括:从综合科学考察向自然资源综合考察研究转变;考察国际化进程将加快;注重多学科综合考察与宏观微观结合调查;考察技术将更加多样化、智能化和精准化;考察信息数据共享平台支撑能力更加强大;科考人才的培养成为紧迫需求将得到加强。     

新装修居室环境中甲醛的遗传毒性

通过环境卫生学调查和遗传毒性试验,了解甲醛对人体健康的危害性. 经随机抽样选择南宁市新装修的130户居室进行ρ(甲醛)测定,并对其中甲醛超标最严重的25户家庭成员共59人进行健康问卷调查;用单细胞凝胶电泳(彗星试验)方法和微核试验方法检测甲醛对体外培养人体淋巴细胞的遗传损伤作用. 结果表明:在南宁市130户新装修的居室环境中,甲醛超标率达73.1%,甲醛超标组居民的呼吸道和神经系统不良反应发生率升高,随着入住时间的延长,ρ(甲醛)下降,不良反应发生率也下降. 体外培养人体淋巴细胞试验结果显示:与对照组相比,甲醛低、中和高剂量组的彗星细胞发生率分别增加39.2%,80.6%和46.0%,彗星细胞尾长度增加23.9,40.6和28.3 μm,微核率增加218.6%,565.0%和647.0%;甲醛超标会使居住人群出现呼吸系统和神经系统疾病,随着时间的推移,室内ρ(甲醛)降低,对人体健康影响程度减少;甲醛可致体外培养人淋体巴细胞的遗传损伤.      

Double locus analysis of chromosome 21 for preimplantation genetic diagnosis of aneuploidy

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of numerical chromosome abnormalities significantly reduces spontaneous abortions and may increase pregnancy rates in women of advanced maternal age undergoing in vitro fertilization. However, the technique has an error rate of around 10% and trisomy 21 conceptions have occurred after PGD. To further reduce the risk of transferring trisomy 21 embryos to the patient, we designed a protocol that analyzes chromosome 21 twice by targeting two different loci. This protocol was applied to 388 embryos from 60 cycles of PGD of aneuploidy. The scoring criterion used was based on giving equal importance to both probe results. Of the 242 embryos diagnosed as abnormal, 125 were re-biopsied to assess the rate of false positives and false negatives of the protocol and their clinical relevance. The results of the present study showed no reduction in the overall fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) error rate for single cells. However, by using a different scoring criterion, the incidence of false negative can be reduced to 1.6% without missing any trisomy 21. In addition, the present study suggests that if two or more loci from the same chromosome could be simultaneously analyzed in single cells, errors caused by false monosomies could be reduced. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同采样设计对长江口海洋环境监测效果影响的评价

长江口作为我国生物多样性最丰富的河口,海洋环境变化对水生生物种群的分布和数量波动都会有重要影响。但在目前该水域的综合监测调查中,多数监测项目缺少采样优化设计的过程。为评价不同采样设计对长江口海洋环境监测结果的影响,本研究使用普通克里金法（ordinary Kriging,OK）对不同海洋环境要素的空间分布进行插值,在此基础上比较定点采样（stationary sampling,SS）、简单随机采样（simple random sampling,SRS）和分层随机采样（stratified random sampling,StRS）3种调查站点设计对长江口中华鲟自然保护区及周边水域的水温、盐度、溶解氧及化学需氧量（COD）等要素的采样效果,结果显示:（1）各环境要素插值结果与实际调查值相近,普通克里金插值能够较好地模拟研究区域的海洋环境状况;（2）3种采样设计的平均采样效果（design effect,DE）为分层随机采样>定点采样>简单随机采样;（3）分层随机采样对水温、盐度和溶解氧的采样效果最好,而对COD的采样效果差别较小。由于长江口水域盐度要素存在明显的空间分布差异,因此,建议在今后的监测设计中,优先采用分层随机采样的方法,以同时满足多数要素的监测需要。     

Discordant non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) – a systematic review

With a high sensitivity and specificity, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is an incomparable screening test for fetal aneuploidy. However, the method is rather newly introduced, and experiences with discordant results are few. We did a systematic review of literature reporting details of false positive and false negative NIPT results. Discordant sex chromosome results were not included. We identified 22 studies reporting case details. In total, 206 discordant cases were included, of which 88% were false positive and 12% false negative. Details on maternal age, gestational age, platform/company, Z-score, fetal fraction, results and explanation were specified. The main reasons for discordant results were confined placental mosaicism, maternal copy number variation, vanished twin, maternal cancer and true fetal mosaicism. A very high percentage of cases (67%) were reported with no obvious biological or technical explanation for the discordant result. The included cases represent only a minor part of the true number of false positive or false negative NIPT cases identified in fetal medicine clinics around the world. To ensure knowledge exchange and transparency of NIPT between laboratories, we suggest a systematic recording of discordant NIPT results, as well as a quality assurance by external quality control and accreditation. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy and environmental attitudes in the green state of Denmark: Implications for energy democracy,low carbon transitions,and energy literacy

This article investigates how a mix of energy-users from Denmark perceives energy and environmental issues such as the affordability of electricity and gasoline, the seriousness of climate change, and preferences for different energy systems. Its primary source of data is a pilot survey and energy literacy test distributed in English and Danish to 328 respondents spread across the country. The survey results are used to test four propositions about energy prices, being “green,” public knowledge and competence about energy issues, and self-sufficiency and sustainable technology. The data supports the propositions that Danes identify with “being green” and prefer national and local policies that endorse sustainable technology and being self-sufficient. However, the data also challenges the propositions that Danes would prioritize low energy prices and affordability as key energy concerns and that they are knowledgeable about energy and environmental issues. In this way, a problematic gap may exist between what many academic articles (and previous surveys) report Danish attitudes to be and what this study suggests they are. Given Denmark's ambitious low-carbon goals, these findings have clear relevance to other communities and countries seeking to decarbonize their own energy sectors.     

无人机遥感调查黄河源玛多县岩羊数量及分布

本研究于2017年利用无人机航拍调查对黄河源玛多县县域内的岩羊种群数量进行了估算,并对其分布规律进行了研究。无人机航拍共获取影像23784张,有效面积326.6 km~2,通过目视解译,获取样带内的岩羊种群数量为203只,种群密度为0.6215只/km~2。通过推算,得到玛多县岩羊种群数量为8968只。对玛多县岩羊分布位置与环境因子的分析结果显示:岩羊偏好于选择海拔为4100～4200 m、距公路大于3 km、距悬崖峭壁200 m以内的区域活动。本研究利用无人机航拍样带调查估算黄河源玛多县岩羊种群数量与密度,并结合ArcGIS软件对其生境进行分析,将3S技术与野生动物调查相结合,为青藏高原地区大型野生动物相关研究提供了新思路。     

深圳市显著排放VOCs的园林植物调查与分析

对深圳地区的主要园林树种、地带性植被的代表种共计158种植物释放的生物源的挥发性有机物（biogenic volatileorganic compounds,BVOCs）采用流动式、封闭式采样法采样,运至美国进行GC-MS分析测量.结果表明,短穗鱼尾葵（Caryotamitis）、海红豆（Adenanthera pavonina var.microsperma）、杧果（Mangifera indica）、海漆（Excoecoria agalloch）等31种植物具有释放异戊二烯的能力;另有鸡蛋果（Passiflora edulis）、小琴丝竹（Bambusa glaucescens cv.silverstripe）、山苍子（Litsea cubeba）、大型双子铁（Dioon spinulosum）等52种植物具有释放单萜烯类化合物的能力.对红树植物的测量表明,该类植物普遍具有释放单萜烯的能力.上述结果为建立深圳及周边地区的环境质量模型提供了重要数据,同时也可为我国热带亚热带城市大面积绿化以及经济林、生态林和防护林等的树种选择提供参考.     

Social partner discrimination based on sounds and scents in Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus)

Ability to discriminate familiar conspecifics is an essential competence in any group-living species, ensuring socio-spatial cohesion, but in many animals, such as mustelids, the relative importance of the different communicative modalities for discrimination is poorly understood. In otters, there is evidence of intra-specific variation in physical appearance and in feces chemical profile, but the potential for acoustic identity coding as well as for identity decoding in visual, acoustic and olfactive domains remains unexplored. We investigated the acoustic structure of contact calls in five captive groups of small-clawed otters and found that it is possible to reliably assign one particular call to a given adult male caller. Females discriminated between familiar and unfamiliar adult males based on their sound (playback) and smell (feces) but not based on their picture, suggesting abilities to memorize and use acoustic and olfactive signatures in their daily social life.