Odor-annoyance estimates from roadtraffic combustion exhausts: Calibration with master scaling using pyridine as a reference

The present field study addressed the need for a procedure that provides a defined unit of measurement of perceived annoyance from environmental odors, calibrating the estimates for individual scaling behavior and context effects. In including 25 subjects, the purpose was to demonstrate the applicability of the master-scale procedure with magnitude estimation to perform such a calibration of odor-annoyance estimates for target stimuli such as road-traffic combustion exhausts (13 000 vehicles/d; averaging 47 μg/m³ over the day/night with peaks exceeding 100 μg/m³ of nitrogen dioxide; NO₂). For comparison, calibrated estimates were also obtained for a backyard expected to be considerably less polluted (comparable with 18 μg/m³ of NO₂) and for blank stimuli presented indoors. The data transformation for the calibration procedure with which annoyance is expressed in either master-scale units or pyridine equivalents requires estimates of a reference stimulus for which seven concentrations of pyridine were used. The results provide an illustration of master scaling of odor annoyance, and imply that use of a modulus (standard stimulus with a predefined annoyance magnitude), in contrast to master scaling, is not sufficient for calibration for individual scaling behavior and context effects.     

沿海农田林网建设关键技术的经济学择优

对江苏沿海地区农田林网的经营类型、造林树种、林带配置进行了技术经济学分析和多目标灰色局势决策择优。结果表明：农田林网经营类型宜选择复合经营的果材兼用型林网。造林树种可选择速生丰产的杨树等用材树种和经济效益高的桃树等果树。林网配置在海堤河岸上选择用材树种，营造基干林带，筑起大网格框架；在道路沟渠上立体配置林果树种，营造主林带和副林带，构建中网格；在脱盐排水沟上添加果树辅助林带，建立小网格，形成多树种多林种合作、大中小网格配套、多道防线联防、多效益多产品产出的复合配置模式。     

A possible prenatal evaluation of renal function by amino acid analysis on fetal urine

Intrauterine treatment of 4 fetuses with urethral obstruction was attempted in the third trimester of pregnancy. The fetuses displayed varying sonographic findings including pyelectasis, caliectasis, hydroureter, bladder dilatation, ascites, hydrops, missing kidneys and oligohydramnios. Ultrasonically guided aspiration from the dilated structures was carried out to relieve pressure on the kidney parenchyme and to collect fluid samples for diagnostic purposes. Amino acid concentrations in the fetal urine showed a pattern similar to plasma in 2 fetuses, a pattern almost like urine in 1 fetus and an intermediate pattern in the 4th fetus. Only the fetus with normal amino acid concentrations in the urine survived: the other 3 died in uremia shortly after birth. In 3 cases cells from the aspirated urine were cultured and used for chromosome analysis. The cell cultures grew fast and karyotyping was possible within 1 week. In 2 fetuses an intrauterine catheter was inserted to drain the kidney permanently into the amniotic cavity. In the first case the catheter was displaced to the fetal abdomen after some days of successful drainage. In the second case the catheter tore the placenta, and the child had to be delivered immediately.     

大直径薄壁钢筒变薄旋压成形工艺研究

论述大径比高精钢筒变薄旋压成形试验过程 ,通过确定合理工艺过程 ,选择最佳工艺参数 ,从而旋出了合格筒体。结果表明 ,D40 6A钢退火状态变薄旋压性能良好 ,旋压塑性变形稳定 ;有效控制扩径量和壁厚差是变薄旋压成形和获取高精钢筒的关键     

Behaviour of stream-dwelling brown trout towards odours present in home stream water

Summary Preference behaviour patterns of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) towards odours in their home-stream water were measured in laboratory experiments. Stream-dwelling, sexually mature trout were captured by electrofishing in different sections of a stream, transferred to a hatchery, and exposed to water sampled from various stream sections and to neutral water, scented by fish captured in the same stream sections. The fish preferred stream water originating from their home stream over that from a neighboring stream. Among water samples from their home stream, they preferred water from the home sections over water from distant sections both upstream and downstream. In most cases they also preferred neutral water scented by other mature fish captured in their home section over water scented by fish from the distant sections. Trout from two neighboring stream sections showed indifferent responses towards water and fish from the adjacent section. The attractive properties of stream water sampled from home sections coincided with those obtained with neutral water scented by fish from the same sites. Accordingly, the attractive components in stream water may be intraspecific odours derived from separate spawning demes of fish present in local areas of the stream.     

45,X karyotype: May the diagnosis be suspected on ultrasonic examination in the second trimester of pregnancy?

We report three cases of Turner's syndrome with cystic hygromata, which were diagnosed by routine ultrasound scanning before amniocentesis in the second trimester of pregnancy. Maternal and amniotic level of alpha-fetoprotein were normal. Karyotyping carried out afterwards showed a 45,X karyotype. Our data indicate, that cystic hygromata in Turner's syndrome may coexist with a normal amniotic fluid AFP, thus questioning the theory of leakage from the hygroma. It remains to be investigated if all cases of Turner's syndrome present a cystic hygroma in utero.     

How communities' perceptions of disasters influence disaster response: managing landslides on Mount Elgon,Uganda

The aim of this paper is to assess the role of people's perception in disaster management. It is based on a study carried out along the slopes of Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda. People living in the study area have experienced a number of landslides, but the landslide in 2010 had the most far‐reaching effects on community livelihoods and resulted in a major setback to development efforts in the area. Experiences of landslides have enabled the local people to develop a number of interpretations of the causes and effects of the phenomena. The study revealed that community members did not share uniform perceptions. Whereas some members advanced technical or physical explanations for the 2010 disaster, others believed that some form of divine power was behind it. Strengthening social networks and integrating communities' perceptions in intervention mechanisms were identified as possible ways of managing future landslide disasters.