The effect of fetal gender on nuchal translucency at 10–14 weeks of gestation

Recent data have suggested that fetal nuchal translucency (NT) is affected by fetal gender. We investigated the size of this effect in 12 189 unselected pregnancies with known normal outcomes that had undergone NT measurements between 10 and 14 weeks of gestation. NT increased with gestation and was converted to multiples of the median (MoM) for the gestational day. The median NT MoM (95% CI) for female fetuses was 0.98 (0.97–0.99). This was significantly lower than that of the male fetuses (1.03; range1.02–1.04) (p<0.0005; Wilcoxon rank-sum test). The gender difference was not observed at 10 weeks but was observed from 11 weeks onwards. There is no obvious explanation for the above findings. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding Human–Landscape Interactions in the “Anthropocene”

This article summarizes the primary outcomes of an interdisciplinary workshop in 2010, sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation, focused on developing key questions and integrative themes for advancing the science of human–landscape systems. The workshop was a response to a grand challenge identified recently by the U.S. National Research Council (2010a)—“How will Earth’s surface evolve in the “Anthropocene?”—suggesting that new theories and methodological approaches are needed to tackle increasingly complex human–landscape interactions in the new era. A new science of human–landscape systems recognizes the interdependence of hydro-geomorphological, ecological, and human processes and functions. Advances within a range of disciplines spanning the physical, biological, and social sciences are therefore needed to contribute toward interdisciplinary research that lies at the heart of the science. Four integrative research themes were identified—thresholds/tipping points, time scales and time lags, spatial scales and boundaries, and feedback loops—serving as potential focal points around which theory can be built for human–landscape systems. Implementing the integrative themes requires that the research communities: (1) establish common metrics to describe and quantify human, biological, and geomorphological systems; (2) develop new ways to integrate diverse data and methods; and (3) focus on synthesis, generalization, and meta-analyses, as individual case studies continue to accumulate. Challenges to meeting these needs center on effective communication and collaboration across diverse disciplines spanning the natural and social scientific divide. Creating venues and mechanisms for sustained focused interdisciplinary collaborations, such as synthesis centers, becomes extraordinarily important for advancing the science.     

响应面法分析卫生填埋渗滤液的Fenton处理过程

利用响应面法研究了Fenton试剂处理卫生填埋渗滤液过程中诸因素对COD去除率的影响,如渗滤液中高分子量有机物(HMWOM)与低分子量有机物(LMWOM)的TOC比例、LMWOM浓度以及双氧水和亚铁离子的摩尔比(H₂O₂/Fe²⁺).其中HMWOM/LMWOM值、LMWOM浓度和H₂O₂/Fe²⁺摩尔比值的高、低水平分别为14～38,975～3000 mg/L,1.75～4.00.由实验数据得到了1个2次响应曲面模型,该模型显示COD的去除率随着HMWOM/LMWOM值的增加而增加,但随着LMWOM浓度的增加而降低.Fenton试剂处理卫生填埋渗滤液存在着一个最佳的H₂O₂/Fe²⁺摩尔比值,COD去除率在该点能达到最高.     

Sonographic features of lethal multiple pterygium syndrome at 14 weeks

Lethal multiple pterygium syndrome is a rare inherited disorder. Previous reports suggest that the diagnosis may be based on prenatal sonographic demonstration of severe limb flexion, absence of fetal motion, and a large cystic hygroma in the second and third trimesters. We present the sonographic features and postmortem features of a fetus with lethal multiple pterygium syndrome at 13 weeks of gestation, which shows that the condition can possibly be diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy and environmental applications of carbon nanotubes

Energy and environment are major global issues inducing environmental pollution problems. Energy generation from conventional fossil fuels has been identified as the main culprit of environmental quality degradation and environmental pollution. In order to address these issues, nanotechnology plays an essential role in revolutionizing the device applications for energy conversion and storage, environmental monitoring, as well as green engineering of environmental friendly materials. Carbon nanotubes and their hybrid nanocomposites have received immense research attention for their potential applications in various fields due to their unique structural, electronic and mechanical properties. Here, we review the applications of carbon nanotubes (1) in energy conversion and storage such as in solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, lithium ion batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors, (2) in environmental monitoring and wastewater treatment for the detection and removal of gas pollutants, pathogens, dyes, heavy metals and pesticides and (3) in green nanocomposite design. Integration of carbon nanotubes in solar and fuel cells has increased the energy conversion efficiency of these energy conversion applications, which serve as the future sustainable energy sources. Carbon nanotubes doped with metal hydrides show high hydrogen storage capacity of around 6?wt% as a potential hydrogen storage medium. Carbon nanotubes nanocomposites have exhibited high energy capacity in lithium ion batteries and high specific capacitance in electrochemical supercapacitors, in addition to excellent cycle stability. High sensitivity and selectivity towards the detection of environmental pollutants are demonstrated by carbon nanotubes based sensors, as well as the anticipated potentials of carbon nanotubes as adsorbent to remove environmental pollutants, which show high adsorption capacity and good regeneration capability. Carbon nanotubes are employed as reinforcement material in green nanocomposites, which is advantageous in supplying the desired properties, in addition to the biodegradability. This article presents an overview of the advantages imparted by carbon nanotubes in electrochemical devices of energy applications and green nanocomposites, as well as nanosensor and adsorbent for environmental protection.     

浅层天然气井喷对地层的损伤影响与桩基工程危害分析

针对杭州湾大桥在勘探过程中发现桥址区地层有浅层天然气分布并发生井喷这一现象,基于现场勘探时浅层气井喷特点与影响因素,认为引起井喷的主要原因是起钻抽吸作用和灌浆不及时所致。井喷是含浅层气土体的渗透比降超过其气压临界比降条件下的非饱和渗流破坏过程,对地层的影响表现为对土体的损伤和扰动,按扰动程度可分为剧烈扰动区、严重扰动区、轻微扰动区和含气层压密区。桥址区粘土层中的浅层气不会对桩基工程产生明显的危害,但砂土层中的浅层气可能会引起土体剧烈扰动显著降低桩基承载力、桩基发生不均匀沉降或桩腿下沉、桩基中产生负摩擦力和阻碍桩基础顺利施工等不利影响,应从桩基础合理选型、预先进行不扰动土体控制释放浅层气、充分考虑不利因素的安全设计,以及在施工过程中增高钻孔桩作业平台与增大泥浆比重等几方面进行灾害防治。     

Microwave assisted digestion followed by ICP-MS for determination of trace metals in atmospheric and lake ecosystem

The study of trace metals in the atmosphere and lake water is important due to their critical effects on humans,aquatic animals and the geochemical balance of ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration of trace metals in atmospheric and lake water samples during the rainy season(before and after precipitation)between November and December 2015. Typical methods of sample preparation for trace metal determination such as cloud point extraction,solid phase extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction are time-consuming and difficult to perform; therefore,there is a crucial need for development of more effective sample preparation procedure. A convection microwave assisted digestion procedure for extraction of trace metals was developed for use prior to inductively couple plasma-mass spectrometric determination. The result showed that metals like zinc(133.50–419.30 μg/m~3)and aluminum(53.58–378.93 μg/m~3)had higher concentrations in atmospheric samples as compared to lake samples before precipitation.On the other hand,the concentrations of zinc,aluminum,chromium and arsenic were significantly higher in lake samples after precipitation and lower in atmospheric samples. The relationship between physicochemical parameters(pH and turbidity)and heavy metal concentrations was investigated as well. Furthermore,enrichment factor analysis indicated that anthropogenic sources such as soil dust,biomass burning and fuel combustion influenced the metal concentrations in the atmosphere.