Methods for prenatal assessment of fetal cardiac function

Fetal cardiac function is increasingly recognized as a marker of disease severity and prognosis in selected fetal conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used in experimental (animal) fetal cardiology but the lack of a noninvasive fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) to trigger image acquisition remains a major limiting factor precluding its application in humans. Fetal medicine specialists are therefore limited to ultrasound to evaluate human fetal cardiac function. In this review, we aim to provide a complete overview of the different ultrasound techniques that can be used for fetal cardiac function assessment and we discuss their (theoretical) strengths and shortcomings. Conventional methods include M-mode assessment of ventricular contractility and Doppler assessment of the precordial veins and cardiac output (CO). More recent techniques such as the measurement of the myocardial performance index (MPI), myocardial motion analysis with tissue Doppler, speckle tracking and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound techniques are also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Local Disturbance of Tropical Forests on Frugivores and Seed Removal of a Small-Seeded Afrotropical Tree

Abstract:  Small-scale, local disturbance of tropical forests, for example from selective logging, is widespread, but its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function have rarely been studied. In 3 East African tropical rainforests, we investigated the effect of different levels of local forest disturbance on the frugivore community and on tree visitation and fruit removal rates of the small-seeded tree Celtis durandii. We quantified birds and primates in little and heavily disturbed sites, distinguishing between forest specialists, forest generalists, and forest visitors. We quantified frugivorous tree visitors and seed removal rates of C. durandii trees in the same sites. Forest disturbance reduced the species richness and density of the frugivore community and of forest specialists. Frugivorous species and individuals visiting the study trees were reduced significantly, which led to a marginally significant decline in fruit removal by all frugivores and a significant reduction in removal by forest specialists. Reduction in fruit removal by forest specialists was not compensated for by increases in removal by forest generalists or visitors. Results did not differ among the 3 rainforests, which suggests they were consistent at a regional scale. So local forest disturbance led to a loss of frugivores and their seed removal services. This suggests that large-seeded tree species and trees with small fruits are losing seed dispersers. Thus, local forest disturbance appears to have a more general negative impact on frugivores and their seed dispersal services than anticipated previously.     

重要基础设施脆弱性评价模型及其应用

将重要基础设施脆弱性定义为威胁情景、保护作用和重要性的函数,并提出一种可定量化的重要基础设施脆弱性评价模型。模型结合系统理论知识分解系统,选取威慑、延迟、检测、响应4个评价因子评估系统各环节。模型由相关领域专家确定系统各环节权重以及为评价因子赋值,应用线性加权聚集模拟技术,综合评价因子信息;依据系统状况,建立系统各环节价值函数,运行模型得到脆弱性概率密度函数,以数学期望值表示系统脆弱性总值。并将模型应用于天津市部分供水系统,不仅得到系统各环节的实际评价值,而且可得整个供水系统脆弱性评价值,为更好地改进天津市供水系统各环节的安全运行提供了科学依据。     

The functions of social service workers at a time of war against a civilian population

This article identifies the nature of functions that social service workers employed by municipal organisations have to perform during a community disaster and subsequent reorganisation at a time of war. The article also explores to what extent the functions of workers change as a result of the transition from a peacetime routine to a war situation. Using focus groups the study assesses the knowledge of social service workers and ordinary citizens who had direct experience of the second Lebanese war in Israel (2006). Eight major functions needed at a time of disaster are distinguished among various employees. The article discusses the significance of these functions, and the need to make changes in the network of functions at a time of disaster.     

碳纤维布加固高温作用后的连续梁试验研究和功能可靠度分析

比较分析了五根混凝土连续梁在碳纤维布加固后的极限荷载、变形、裂缝、延性系数等指标.在实际加固工程中无法对钢筋混凝土连续梁梁项进行加固,因此在试验中采用CFRP来加固梁的跨中,增强其正截面的抗弯承载力,并利用梁支座处出现塑性铰,引起弯矩重分布的特性,来达到加固的目的.为使试验更加接近加固工程实际情况,试验中加固是在持载情况下进行的.试验研究表明：使用碳纤维布提高高温作用后的混凝土连续梁的方法,能有效地抵抗二次火灾的影响;基于试验结果,推导出高温作用后碳纤维布加固的实用设计方法,与试验数据可以较好地吻合.在不能找出加固后梁所有失效模式的情况下,利用分阶段平截面弹塑性分析法求出加固后连续梁的极限挠度,求出了梁的功能（挠度）可靠度.     

采伐影响下森林景观服务功能变化研究

文章以大兴安岭呼中林业局亚里河林场为研究区,以遥感数据、林相图和采伐设计资料为信息源,选择水源涵养、固土保肥、固定CO2和释放O2四项服务功能,运用景观生态学原理,引用相应模型,估算了研究区1989年和2000年服务功能价值及其空间分布变化;建立历年采伐分布图,计算采伐造成的服务功能价值损失,揭示该损失值与木材生产的经济效益之间的关系,并分析了服务功能价值在各管理区域内的分布。结果表明,1989年服务功能价值为1.85×108元,2000年为1.37×108元,价值20×104元h/m₂以上的面积明显下降。生态服务功能的下降由采伐导致,1989至1999年采伐导致的生态损失价值为0.71×108元,是木材生产获利的1.9倍,采伐损失价值与年出材量呈现相同的变化趋势。最后证明了管理等级区划和限制采伐量,即“天保工程”,将有利于森林植被恢复,大幅度提高整个亚里河林场的生态服务功能。     

Alterations in Carbohydrate Metabolism in Selected Tissues of Crab,Oziotelphusa Senex Senex (Fabricius) Under Fenvalerate-Induced Stress

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism in hepatopancreas and muscle of the crab, Oziotelphusa senex senex exposed to a sublethal concentration (0.2 ppm) of fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide, were studied. the glycogen and total carbohydrate levels decreased significantly in the tissues of crab exposed to fenvalerate. an increase in phosphorylase ‘a’ and decrease in aldolase activity levels suggested increased glycogenolysis, and decreased glycolysis during fenvalerate toxicity. Krebs cycle enzymes such as NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase were decreased, suggesting reduced mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was increased significantly, indicating enhanced oxidation of glucose through the hexose monophosphate shunt pathway. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was elevated indicating the development of anaerobic conditions at tissue level in the stressed crab. Cytochrome C oxidase and Mg2+ ATPase activity levels were also decreased, indicating the impaired energy synthesis and prevalence of energy crisis. These results suggest that fenvalerate has a profound effect on the glucose metabolism of crab.     

The elaboration process – an approach for sustainable product development: a case study

Environmentally conscious product development, eco-design or design for environment is the methodology trying to introduce environmental requirements into product design. The first step of this process is the gathering of customer requirements for a structured product development procedure, such as quality function deployment (QFD). The problem is that environmental requirements are usually unspoken by the customers. This paper describes a methodology for uncovering such requirements by using environmental default questions in an elaboration process. This leads to an increased customer environmental awareness, and it generates a comprehensive list of requirements suitable for use in a subsequent QFD process. The effects of the elaboration process are demonstrated in one case study.     

南水北调中线水源地汉江上游流域主要生态环境问题及对策

汉江上游是南水北调中线水源地，流域生态环境建设是保障水源地水质安全的关键。针对上游流域水环境污染、土地利用以及水土流失等重大生态环境问题，结合流域数字高程模型及水质调查对其进行了系统分析。结果表明：（1）丹江流域、库区流域及汉中盆地水质较差，CODMn和氨氮成为水源区主要污染物；（2）各子流域区植被覆盖占各自面积的712%~957%，表明流域植被覆盖较好，但沿河岸100 m范围内农业用地占292%~434%，且多为坡耕地；（3）流域水土流失严重，2000年左右流域侵蚀图显示汉江源头、秦岭南及大巴山北均出现了大片年均侵蚀模数>2 200 t/km2的区域，且有日益增强的趋势。提出加大水环境污染整治力度、加强农业用肥管理及河岸带建设、水土保持建设以及加强流域水环境及水土保持监测和科研工作等对策。