可持续的公用事业：放宽限制和私有化给可持续性带来新机会

公用事业已经对环境质量产生重要的影响，特别是在市区 .初看起来，放宽限制或公用事业的私有化似乎提供不了任何环境效益 .然而，如果在一个合适的管理法律体制内发生这样一个变化，结果实际上是提高了人们对可持续发展的注意 .关于这一点，给出了一个关于改善公路运输的可持续发展性机会的实例研究 .     

National parks legislative mandate in the United States of America

Natural areas of national parks constitute unique ecological and aesthetic resources. Since the inception of national parks, it has been apparent that they are susceptible to threats that result in significant change and damage. Today, major issues concerning management of parks relate to questions of expanded visitor use and what types of facilities are to be deemed appropriate, that is, the dilemma of preservation versus use. In the United States of America, resolution of this dilemma must, strictly speaking, be based upon intent and meaning of Congressional legislation. The traditional interpretation of legislation in the U.S. has been to provide for a balance of use and preservation. However, extensive review of the literature of national park policy reveals a remarkable lack of elaboration and clarification of legislative meaning. Based upon a critical analysis of pertinent legislation, which has heretofore been ignored, we provide an interpretation of legislative meaning which strongly supports a policy of preservation of park resources.     

Environmental contaminants in four eider species from Alaska and arctic Russia

Population declines in four species of eider; common (Somateria mollissima), king (Somateria spectabilis), spectacled (Somateria fischeri) and Steller's (Polysticta stelleri), have raised concerns about exposure to contaminants. Livers and kidney tissues were collected from eiders in Alaska and Russia for organic and elemental analyses. Results showed that organochlorine and many elemental levels were below toxic thresholds; however, in many cases, cadmium, copper, lead and serenium appeared high relative to other waterfowl and may warrant concern. With the exception of lead, local anthropogenic sources for these elements are not known. Although adverse physiological responses have not been documented in eiders, these four elements cannot be ruled out as contaminants of potential concern for some eider species.     

A Strategy and Methodology for Defensibly Correlating Spilled Oil to Source Candidates

The source of crude oils and petroleum products released into navigable waterways and shipping lanes is not always known. Thus, the defensible identification of spilled crude oils and petroleum products and their correlation to suspected sources is a critical part of many oil spill assessments. Quantitative "fingerprinting" analysis, when evaluated using straightforward statistical and numerical analyses, provides a defensible means to differentiate among qualitatively similar oils and provides the best assessment of the source(s) for spilled oils. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and petroleum biomarker concentration data are a particularly useful quantitative measure that can benefit most oil spill investigations. In this paper the strategy and methodology for correlation analysis that relies upon quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry operated in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC/MS-SIM) is demonstrated in a case study involving 66 candidate sources for a heavy fuel oil spill of unknown origin. The strategy includes identification of 19 chemical indices (out of 45 evaluated) based upon PAH's and biomarkers that were (1) independent of weathering; and (2) precisely measured, both of which are determined by statistical analysis of the data. The 19 chemical indices meeting these criteria are subsequently analysed using principal component analysis (PCA), which helps to determine defensibly the "prime suspects" for the oil spill under investigation. The strategy and methodology described, which combines statistical and numerical analysis of quantitative chemical data, can be adapted and applied to other environmental forensic investigations with the objective of correlating any form of contamination to its suspected sources.     

可持续的公用事业：放宽限制和私有化给可持续性带来新机会

公用事业已经对环境质量产生重要的影响,特别是在市区.初看起来,放宽限制或公用事业的私有化似乎提供不了任何环境效益.然而,如果在一个合适的管理法律体制内发生这样一个变化,结果实际上是提高了人们对可持续发展的注意.关于这一点,给出了一个关于改善公路运输的可持续发展性机会的实例研究.     

The unrecognized danger of a new transportation mechanism of injury--pedicabs

Objective

Pedicabs are a new and controversial transportation innovation for tourists in congested areas in several U.S. cities. Scant literature on this trauma mechanism exists. The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence, demographics, morbidity, mortality, and potential for injury prevention of pedicab incidents amongst major trauma admissions at an urban, academic Level I Trauma Center.

Patients & Methods

Researchers conducted a retrospective review of the Trauma Registry from 2000 to 2009. All patients identified as being injured in a pedicab incident were reviewed. Demographics, diagnoses, toxicology, treatments, and injury severity scale (ISS) were collected. Outcomes included mortality, ICU, and hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and hospital charges. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs was examined for the presence and use of safety equipment.

Results

During the period of January 2000 to July 2009 there were 15 major trauma victims from identified pedicab incidents. Falling from the pedicab was the mechanism of injury in 14 of 15 cases. There were two fatalities in victims following severe traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, or loss of consciousness was seen in 11/15 victims. Ethanol ingestion was detected in blood tests of 10 of the 14 adult victims. Median charges of hospitalization due to a pedicab related injury was US$29,956 ± 77,482. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs reveals very limited use of safety belts by passengers despite existing city ordinances.

Conclusions

Major trauma victims of pedicab incidents in the United States suffer significant injuries and death. Most cases occurred in passengers falling from the pedicab at night after alcohol ingestion. There is an opportunity for implementation of strategies toward improved injury prevention with this new form of transport.     

A preliminary examination of the translocation of microencapsulated cyfluthrin following applications to the perimeter of residential dwellings

Methods have been developed to monitor the translocation of microencapsulated cyfluthrin following perimeter applications to residential dwellings. A pilot study was implemented to determine both the potential for application spray to drift away from dwellings and the intrusion of residues into homes following perimeter treatments. Residential monitoring included measuring spray drift using cellulose filter paper and the collection of soil samples from within the spray zone. In addition, interior air was monitored using fiberglass filter paper as a sorbent medium and cotton ball swabs were used to collect surface wipes. Fortification of matrixes resulted in recoveries of > 90%. Spray drift was highest at the point of application and declined to low but measurable levels 9.1 m from the foundations of dwellings. Soil residues declined to low, but measurable levels by 45 days post-application. No cyfluthrin was measured from indoor air; however, some interior surfaces had detectable levels of cyfluthrin until three days post-application. Findings indicate that spray drift resulting from perimeter applications might contaminate non-target surfaces outside the spray zone. Soil borne residues may serve as persistent sources for human exposure and potentially intrude into dwellings through the activities of occupants and pets. Residues do not appreciably translocate through air and consequently inhalation is not a likely route for human exposure. Surface residues detected indoors suggest that the physical movement of residues from the exterior to the interior might be a viable route of movement of residues following this type of application.