Approaches to studying the genomic architecture of complex birth defects

Every year nearly 6 percent of children worldwide are born with a serious congenital malformation, resulting in death or lifelong disability. In the United States, birth defects remain one of the leading causes of infant mortality. Among the common structural congenital defects are conditions known as neural tube defects (NTDs). These are a class of malformation of the brain and spinal cord where the neural tube fails to close during the neurulation. Although NTDs remain among the most pervasive and debilitating of all human developmental anomalies, there is insufficient understanding of their etiology. Previous studies have proposed that complex birth defects like NTDs are likely omnigenic, involving interconnected gene regulatory networks with associated signals throughout the genome. Advances in technologies have allowed researchers to more critically investigate regulatory gene networks in ever increasing detail, informing our understanding of the genetic basis of NTDs. Employing a systematic analysis of these complex birth defects using massively parallel DNA sequencing with stringent bioinformatic algorithms, it is possible to approach a greater level of understanding of the genomic architecture underlying NTDs. Herein, we present a brief overview of different approaches undertaken in our laboratory to dissect out the genetics of susceptibility to NTDs. This involves the use of mouse models to identify candidate genes, as well as large scale whole genome/whole exome (WGS/WES) studies to interrogate the genomic landscape of NTDs. The goal of this research is to elucidate the gene-environment interactions contributing to NTDs, thus encouraging global research efforts in their prevention.     

Application of Transferable Development Rights in Cultivated Land Protection in China

To analyze current policies on cultivated land protection, this article discusses the application of transferable development rights in cultivated land protection by examining the connotation, operation mechanism, and construction on the market mechanism, benefits driving forces, and expected benefits. The results suggest that economic incentives and fairness have been neglected in previous policies on cultivated land protection. Moreover, the introduction of transferable development rights can not only eliminate the imbalance of interests, but also enhance the incentives for farmers and developers. In addition, it can significantly reduce the fiscal expenditure of the government.     

铁路安全文化建设初探

针对铁路的特点和铁路安全工作的难度以及近两年进行安全基础整顿和建设的经验表明，安全工作仍难以有序可控的不断改进，通过对安全文化的认识和探讨，提出要取得铁路运输安全工作的突破，必须全面加速安全文化建设。加速安全文化建设的前提是加快体制建设，其关键是加快安全机制建设，其保证是加快安全法制建设，其核心是加快干部、工人队伍的安全文化素质提高，其重要方法是加强对全社会的安全知识教育。     

浅谈油气生产中的现场安全管理

油气生产中的各种不安全因素大多来源于现场作业。生产现场是安全管理的控制点。运用安全管理和安全系统工程的一些理论方法，可以提高生产中人的安全意识，减少现场作业中的事故隐患，达到预防事故的目的     

日本国的环境保护

日本国在环境保护、治理公害、污染防治以及环境意识教育等方面给予我们很多启示,特别是国民的“热爱地球,与地球环境共存”的宣言以及为全球环境保护所做的努力,值得我们学习和研究。     

秦皇岛市海港区污水排放系统现状分析

本文从秦皇岛海港区污水排放系统现状分析入手,指出了污水排放系统中存在的问题,并提出了污水排放系统发展的建设。     

陕北能源开发生态环境补偿对策研究

本文从陕北能源开发入手,通过对生态破坏、经济损失的分析,论述了生态环境补偿的必要性和迫切性,提出了生态环境补偿的依据。从生态学的角度分析了生态的损失补偿是企业产品成本的构成部分,而不应是社会责任承担。阐明了补偿费征收管理办法主要应包括征收范围、征收机构、征收标准、管理使用和罚则等五个方面。     

完善经济建设与环境保护综合决策机制

环境保护与经济建设协调发展是实施可持续发展的重要环节。为使环境保护与经济建设协调发展,必须在发展社会经济中,建立并不断完善经济建设与环境保护综合决策机制。     

可持续发展和公平效率的统一性

本文主要论述了把效率与公平的统一纳入可持续发展之中的新观念。首先阐述了可持续发展的深刻内涵及思想本质,然后论述了可持续发展的公平观(当代人之间的公平及代际公平),以及可持续发展的效率现。用可持续发展及“三个效益”统一的指导思想和观点,综合论述了可持续发展和公平、效率的统一性。     

区域政策环境影响评价研究

区域政策对一个区域的环境与发展的影响是持久的项目背后驱动力,引导和决定着该区域内的一切经济行为。对区域政策进行环境影响评价,以判定区域政策在特定时空范围内的宏观影响是实现区域综合决策的科学化、从政策源头落实环境保护基本国策、实施区域可持续发展战略的要求。本文论述了开展区域政策环境影响评价(以下简称EIA)的意义和基础以及评价的原则、程序和指标体系。