Stigmatisation and rejection of survivors of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Studies report that between 6 per cent and 29 per cent of survivors of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are rejected by their families and communities. This research project was designed to provide insights into survivors' experiences of stigmatisation and rejection. Surveys were conducted with 310 women as they sought psychosocial services in eastern DRC. In total, 44.3 per cent of women reported suffering rejection after sexual violence. The majority of women felt that their status in the household (58.0 per cent) and community (54.9 per cent) diminished after rape. The odds of rejection were greater among women reporting ongoing displacement, pregnancy owing to sexual violence, worsening family relations, and diminished community status. This work highlights the extremely high levels of loss associated with the war in eastern DRC, particularly among survivors of sexual violence. The rejection of a survivor of rape has concrete and devastating psychosocial consequences.     

The impact of the congestion charging scheme on ambient air pollution concentrations in London

On 17th February 2003, a congestion charging scheme (CCS), operating Monday–Friday, 07:00–18:00, was introduced in central London along with a programme of traffic management measures. We investigated the potential impact of the introduction of the CCS on measured pollutant concentrations (oxides of nitrogen (NO_X, NO and NO₂), particles with a median diameter less than 10 microns (PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O₃)) measured at roadside and background monitoring sites across Greater London. Temporal changes in pollution concentrations within the congestion charging zone were compared to changes, over the same time period, at monitors unlikely to be affected by the CCS (the control zone) and in the boundary zone between the two. Similar analyses were done for CCS hours during weekends (when the CCS was not operating).Based on the single roadside monitor with the CCS Zone, it was not possible to identify any relative changes in pollution concentrations associated with the introduction of the scheme. However, using background monitors, there was good evidence for a decrease in NO and increases in NO₂ and O₃ relative to the control zone. There was little change in background concentrations of NO_X. There was also evidence of relative reductions in PM₁₀ and CO. Similar changes were observed during the same hours in weekends when the scheme was not operating.The causal attribution of these changes to the CCS per se is not appropriate since the scheme was introduced concurrently with other traffic and emissions interventions which might have had a more concentrated effect in central London. This study provides important pointers for study design and data requirements for the evaluation of similar schemes in terms of air quality. It also shows that results may be unexpected and that the overall effect on toxicity may not be entirely favourable.     

Evaluating Participatory Modeling: Developing a Framework for Cross-Case Analysis

Participatory modeling is increasingly recognized as an effective way to assist collective decision-making processes in the domain of natural resource management. This article introduces a framework for evaluating projects that have adopted a participatory modeling approach. This evaluation framework—known as the “Protocol of Canberra”—was developed through a collaboration between French and Australian researchers engaged in participatory modeling and evaluation research. The framework seeks to assess the extent to which different participatory modeling initiatives not only modify perceptions among and interactions between participants, but also contribute to collective decision-making. The article discusses the development of the framework and it’s application to three case-studies, two from Australia and one from the Pacific Island of the Republic of Kiribati. The article concludes with some comments for future use of the framework in a range of participatory modeling contexts.     

地下水铀污染的原位微生物还原与固定:在美国能源部田纳西橡树岭放射物污染现场的试验

总结了美国斯坦福大学和橡树岭国家实验室等在美国能源部田纳西州橡树岭综合试验基地进行的铀污染原位微生物修复阶段性试验结果.本试验利用微生物以乙醇为电子供体还原地下水和沉积物中的六价铀为不溶解的四价铀,使之原位固定化.随后通过加入溶解氧和硝酸盐来试验微生物还原后的地下水层中还原固定态铀的稳定性.通过预处理和长期间隔注入乙醇...     

银川紫外辐射特征及TUV模式适用性研究

利用2013—2019年银川紫外观测数据,分析了银川紫外辐射变化特征,基于TUV模式,结合云光学厚度、云顶高度、气溶胶光学厚度、单次散射反照比、波长指数、臭氧柱浓度和NO₂柱浓度等遥感资料,研究了TUV模式在银川紫外辐射模拟中的适用性.结果表明,银川多年年平均紫外辐照度为8.7 W·m^-2,7月最高为17.7 W·m^-2,1月最低为3.1 W·m^-2,13：00前后达到日最大值;不同参数输入方案下TUV对银川紫外辐照度随时间变化趋势的把握能力均较好,但平均值和标准差都普遍存在高估现象,2—5月TUV模拟效果最差,1月和6—10月模拟效果较好,11和12月模拟效果最好;模拟层数的增加不能有效提高模拟精度,改善TUV模拟效果;TUV模式模拟误差随着云光学厚度、相对湿度的减小及臭氧柱浓度、云顶高度的增加而增大;TUV对日照时数小于10 h时的紫外辐照度的模拟效果较日照时数大于10 h时好;PM₁₀浓度为0~50 μg·m^-3时TUV模拟均方根误差最小.     

黑龙江省夏季干旱气候特征及成因分析

利用1954-2009年气候实测资料,分析了黑龙江省干旱发生的气候特征。结果表明,20世纪70年代与21世纪初的近10年为干旱盛行时期,尤其是2000年后至今,平均每2年发生一次干旱。大部分年份的干旱发生在拉尼娜事件或赤道东太平洋为冷水位相,副高较弱及偏东和北界偏北。从500hPa环流特点表明,东亚区盛行-、+、-距平场型式;冷空气偏向乌拉尔北部泰米尔至新地岛,黑龙江处在西风带高脊或高脊与副高结合体控制之下,维持高温少雨造成干旱。选取副高强、厄尔尼诺发生的年份的干旱典型年2004年。恰与过去年份发生的低温多雨形势相反,盛行-、+、-距平场型式,造成干旱。从旱年的水汽输送环境来看,来自欧亚大陆40°～50°N与孟加拉弯和南海的水汽输送通道,明显减弱或消失。     

外源水杨酸对染铅小鼠抗氧化水平的调节

为了研究水杨酸对铅染毒小鼠体内抗氧化水平的调节,将不同浓度的水杨酸(0、0.1、0.5、1.0和1.5 mmol·L-1)附加到醋酸铅溶液中对小鼠隔日灌胃1个月,测定了肝和脑组织抗氧化酶活性以及脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)的含量,观察了核DNA的降解情况.结果显示,0.5mmol·L-1的水杨酸完全消除了铅(300 mg·kg-1)对小鼠超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的抑制,使MDA含量维持在对照水平,核DNA降解明显减轻.这些数据显示,外源水杨酸可通过调节铅胁迫下小鼠体内抗氧化酶的活性而保护肝和脑组织免受铅引发的氧化胁迫伤害.